Dapitan City hosts IM 5150
The IRONMAN races will be back in full blast in new normal next year with a touch of history as a new destination awaits an expected stellar international field in the 5150 Dapitan on 10 September.
Known as the Shrine City of the Philippines, the historical city of Dapitan is all thrilled prepping up for its first triathlon hosting, laying the groundwork 11 months before the big sporting event, featuring the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40km bike and 10km run race in Zamboanga Peninsula.
“We are proud and happy to have the world-renowned Ironman 5150 Triathlon here in Dapitan on 10 September 2023. It’s really something that we should all look forward to,” Dapitan City Mayor Seth “Bullet” Jalosjos said.
He announced the first-ever short-distance racing’s staging in the historic city during the welcome lunch he had hosted for members of Lanao del Norte’s Tri SND Barracuda that took part in the first Mayor Bullet Jalosjos Triathlon Cup along Dapitan Boulevard recently.
Team Tri SND Barracuda, headed by team leader Ulwan Dimaporo and star athlete John Alcala, winner of the just-concluded IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa, has been a regular fixture in the IRONMAN/Sunrise Events Inc.-organized endurance racing.
“Putting up the 5150 race in the city of Dapitan isn’t only a breakthrough but also historic and we take pride in spearheading this project which will surely draw the veteran and rising triathletes in the local front and overseas,” Jalosjos said.
“Triathlon is the kind of sport that we will not only support but also prioritize.”