Excerpt from Triathlon Philippines website
THE country’s young triathletes are out to curve names of their own as the
2011 ITU-K-Swiss Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) unfolds this
weekend at the Subic Bay Freeport.
Out to grab the limelight in the first day of action this Saturday of the event
sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and Asian Triathlon
Confederation (ASTC) are competitors in the 13-15 mini-sprint, junior male
and female elite.
Focus however will be on the 13-15 age group as participants will showcase
their young talents in their drive to earn the right to represent the country in the
2014 Youth Olympic Games.
Gabriel Allen Santiago, a multi-titled 14-year old triathlete who also is a member
of the national pool, leads the charge in the boys division in the event organized
by Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) with K-Swiss as its presenter.
Distance of the race is at 350-m swim, 10.5-k bike and 2.5-k run with Santiago’s
claim as the country’s top 13-15 triathlete to be put to test as he battles a number
of outstanding youth triathletes led by Cagayan De Oro’s Sixto "Louie" Lalanto,
Malaysia’s Mohd Tareef and 2009 champion Rommel Uy of Bacolod.
Also expected to crowd the favorites are Misamis Oriental trained Jimuel "Niko"
Patilan, Jose Marie "Jomai" Santos and Jose Nobles IV and Javier Ocampo from
Manila.
Ten girls triathletes led by Malaysian Aisya Farisha Farid and MisOr bet
Victoria Deldio, will see action in the distaff side of the race also supported
by SPEEDO, David’s Salon, Century Tuna, Asian Centre for Insulation
Philippines, Gatorade, Fitness First, TIMEX, Philippine Sports Commission
(PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
“The SUBIT is one of the toughest races being held in this country because
aside from the foreign rivals, the event brings together the best local
triathletes in one tournament. Thus it is very important for our triathletes in
the 13-15 age division to prove themselves since we will select from this
group Philippines representative to the YOG,” said TRAP president Tom
Carrasco Jr.
Now on its 18th year, also expected to shine are seasoned triathletes who
will see action in the Junior Male and Female Elite.
Asian Beach Games veteran Philip Jurolan will join hands with Mark Altura,
Jose Ignacio Mapa and Kurt Cabanilla as they carry the country's color in
the Junior Male against top bets from Hong Kong, Iran and Malaysia.
Davao City's Mary Pauline Fornea, Misamis Oriental's Samantha Tiro and
Manila's Gabrielle Santos will do battle with powerhouse junior team from
Hong Kong in the Junior Female.
Also racing this Saturday is the Female Elite and Female U-23 with
multi-titled LC Langit and Kim Mangrobang to carry the cudgels of the
host country against top bets from Japan, Australia, New Zealand,
Netherlands, and Israel.
