International Triathlon in Bagac…all set

   BAGAC, Bataan – It is all systems go for the first Philippine Eco Heritage Bataan International Triathlon Festival at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in this town on November 29 – 30.

  Xchosa Deniega, chief of media affairs of the Bataan International Triathlon (Bi3), said the inaugural race has drawn 600 participants composed of both seasoned and novice triathletes from all over the Philippines and abroad.

   “Some of triathlon’s biggest names both locally and abroad like Xterra stars Ben Allen of Australia and Jacqui Slack of the United Kingdom are gearing for the inaugural event. Allen and Slack will also conduct clinics and talks in line with the Bataan International Triathlon,” Deniega added.

   There will be a junior aquathlon for children at 2:00 in the afternoon on Saturday. Participants and guests will join Gov. Albert Garcia at the Governor’s Dinner at the famous heritage park at 6:00 in the evening of the same day, Deniega said.

   The final race starts at 6:00 in the morning of Sunday. Also joining the Bi3 are differently-abled athletes from Team – No Limits. The team, which is composed primarily of therapists and patients of Communicare Therapy Center for Children, is led by Coach Anthony Lozada of the Bert Lozada Swimming School.

   Notable members of the team include twins Joshua and Jerome Nelmida and Timothy John Trivino. Both Joshua and Jerome are blind while Timothy has Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger Syndrome).

   The three athletes will participate in separate relay teams with Joshua taking on the run leg for his relay team and Jerome and Timothy both taking on the swim leg for their respective relay teams, Deniega said. Coach Anthony will participate in the race both as an individual athlete and as a guide for one of his students.