SBMA, TRAP back triathlon for all ages

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) kick off their partnership in 2010 with the Speedo National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) on Sunday, Jan. 17, at the Subic Bay Freeport. The race, which will start at Dungaree Beach at 6 a.m., will have adult age group triathletes, as well as super tri-kids, juniors and newcomers competing for honors and medals. So far, 85 kids have signed up for the event. TRAP and SBMA have joined forces in promoting the endurance sport through the annual Subic Bay International Triathlon Championships. They added the NAGT this year, as SBMA believes the program will help boost triathlons in the Philippines. TRAP has the same thrust. “TRAP [wants to] further promote the sport by providing more standard distance races to test our growing number of veteran age groupers and at the same time provide a venue for our elite to show their worth. That’s why we are opening the season with the NAGT," said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr. The highlight race will be in the adult age group, where participants will race at the Olympic distance of 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run. The swim leg will be held at Dungaree Beach while the bike section is a two-loop race from Dungaree to Subic Bay’s Naval Magazine area and back to Argonaut Highway. The run portion is a three-loop run from Dungaree to All-Hands Beach and back. The 9 to 10-year-olds (20m swim and 400m) and the 11 to 12-year-olds (350m swim and 1.5k run) will compete in the aquathlon. The 13 to 15-year-olds and the 16 to 19-year-olds will compete in the mini sprint (350m swim, 16k bike and 3.3k run). Beginner adults or newcomers may also sign up for the mini-sprint. The event is one of six NAGT races set this year. Other legs will be held in Davao City; Cebu City; Cagayan De Oro City; Los Baños, Laguna and Ayala Alabang. Points are given to the top ten finishers. The triathlete with the most number of points from a maximum of four races will earn a seat in the national pool in 2011. – FVI/JVP, GMANews.TV For more information, contact TRAP at tel. no. 974-2105.