Last year's triathlon in Ilocos Niorte (Alaric Yanos) |
By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Over the years,
Ilocos Norte’s picture-perfect landscape and excellent road conditions away
from traffic and polluted Metro Manila keeps attracting triathlon enthusiasts
here and abroad.
Running for four years now,
the Tri-North, an Ilocos Norte-based triathlon club in collaboration with local
government units, local resort owners and private stakeholders here will be
showcasing again the best triathlon race course in the country found in the
still open waters of Currimao town ideal for swimming, the cinematic views of
Paoay and a hall of fame cleanest and greenest city of Laoag.
On March 19, about 150
participants from various parts of the country and the world look forward to
the ‘Tri Ilocos Norte 4’ challenge, open for newbies and professionals.
“Compared to the previous
editions, the event has become much better and bigger,” said Faivo Bartolome,
Tri-North president.
“Starting from approximately
500 participants in 2009, the popularity of triathlon race in the country has
grown to about 3,000 participants,” said Bartolome which means this is a
booming sports in the countryside.
“Our locals have a positive
take on the event. More and more professionals including students join our club
as we support each other,” he added saying “it is not just the competition that
matters but more on maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
And with Ilocos Norte’s ideal
location for safe biking, swimming and running, Carlo Sampan, Marketing Manager
of Trisports.ph said this exciting sporting event in the province is attracting
new and old triathlon athletes to try new things the province has to offer.
As one of the premier sports
tourism destinations in the country, host community also benefit from the event
as participants and their family and friends whom they bring along with them
could also enjoy a sort of vacation at the same time, touring around places and
buying some local products.
“We want to provide a total
experience. Apart from the competition, our athletes will have more days to
stay to share to the triathlon community what Ilocos Norte has to offer like
visiting the windmills, eating empanada or enjoying the greenery views along
the way,” said Mr. Sampan.
Mikey Chua of Tri-Sports
Solutions Inc. said the coverage is made more exciting this year with better
views for participants.
Comments
Post a Comment