Oslob is ready for triathlon hosting: Guaren
“WE are ready.” This was expressed by Oslob Municipal Mayor Ronald Guaren as the town prepares to host in the Hunat Sugbo Triathlon on Oct. 6.
This will be the first time for Oslob to host a triathlon and the organizers expect about 400 participants to join.
“We have already coordinated with the local police to help us ensure the safety of the participants,” said Guaren.
Guaren said he is thankful for the opportunity to host the event as it could help boost their town’s tourism.
“We are very grateful to be chosen as the venue. We believe it will be a good opportunity for us to showcase our town as a tourist destination,” said Guaren during a press conference yesterday at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel to- gether with hotel general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan, BOD member Alan Ting, Sugbutriatlon’s Jesse Arriola and Benjoe Gimenez.
Ting, who is also into triathlon and a member of the Cebu Parklane Tri team, said when they thought of organizing a triathlon race in the southern part of Cebu, Oslob was their top pick.
“Oslob is a very ideal venue with its crystal-clear seas frequented by whale sharks and its various tourist spots like the Heritage Park, Tumalog Falls, and its century-old church. Its road is also flat and very well paved, which the athletes will love. It’s also safe and ideal for beginners,” said Ting. The race route will, however, not be held at the whale sharkwatching site.
Manguilimotan also said that Oslob is a destination that is getting more and more popular in the south of Cebu. This is their contribution in promoting Cebu’s countryside.
“We are expecting a total of 2,000 people coming in as we know the participants will be bringing their families and friends with them. Our visitors will be able to enjoy the sights as they could visit the falls and go whale shark-watching,” said Manguilimotan.
Since the registration of the Hunat Sugbo Triathlon officially opened last Aug. 9, about 331 participants signed up.
“We only have about 30 slots remaining for the individual standard distance and the relay slots are already sold out,” said technical director Gimenez.
Gimenez said that the race route will be very scenic as the swim leg will start in front of the cuartel near the century-old church, then the bike leg will feature an ocean view.
Several high-profile triathletes, such as Filipino elite Top 3 Philip Dueñas, have already confirmed along with Arland Macaseib, Chris Aldeguer and his team Fish 18, and Joseph Miller.
This race will not include a triathlon for kids because the organizers want to ensure the safety of the participants. According to Manguilimotan, since this is their first time to host a triathlon, they want to focus first on handling the race for adults.
The race features an individual and a relay team event for the standard distance of 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run and individual sprint distance with 750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run.