Elite triathletes to see action in XTERRA Cebu

Some of the most respected triathletes from around the world will converge in Liloan, Cebu on March 17-18 to take part at the Vaseline Men XTERRA Weekend, the second leg in the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series.

According to organizers, the two-day event serves as a qualifier to the highly-competitive XTERRA World Championship in Oahu and Maui, Hawaii.

Among the A-list triathletes in the roster include 4-time XTERRA European Tour Champion Renata Bucher of Switzerland, 3-time XTERRA European Tour Champion Oliver Marceau also of Switzerland, 2011 XTERRA South Africa Champion Carina Wasle of Austria, 2011 XTERRA Brazil Champion Ben Allen of Australia and 2008 ITU World Cup Subic Bay Champion Matt O' Halloran of Canada.

Three-time Philippine National Open champion, 2-time SEA Games medalist and 15-time Ironman finisher Arland Macasieb is expected to represent the country in the elite event.

Likewise hoping to make their presence felt are 2011 XTERRA Mexico Championship 3rd placer Will Kelsay of the USA; 2011 XTERRA European Tour Championship 14th placer Cedric Lassondre of France; 2011 XTERRA Saipan Championship 2nd placer Takahiro "Oga-san" Ogasawara of Japan; 2011 XTERRA Philippines Championship 4th placer Darrelle "Daz" Parker of the UK; 2011 XTERRA Mexico Championship 2nd placer Branden Rakita of the USA; 2011 XTERRA Italy Championship 4th placer Jacqui Slack of the UK and 2011 XTERRA European Tour Championship 10th placer Graham Wadsworth of the UK.

The Vaseline Men XTERRA Weekend in Cebu kicks off with a demanding trail run on March 17.  Featuring 21, 10 and 5 kilometer categories, top male and female finishers will take home cash prizes.

Most importantly, top age group finishers for the 21K trail will qualify for the XTERRA Trail Run World Championships slated in Oahu, Hawaii this year.

Capping off the Vaseline Men XTERRA Weekend are two triathlon events on March 18 with the XTERRA Lite and the XTERRA Philippines Championship.

The XTERRA Lite involves a 500-meter swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 5-kilometer run.  On the other hand, the XTERRA Philippines Championship involves a more grueling challenge with a 1.5-kilometer swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run.

Apart from winning exciting cash prizes (total pro prize money is US$15,000), the top age group finishers now vie for 40 slots to the XTERRA World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.

After the exciting, world-class triathlon action in Cebu, the Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series moves to Clark, Pampanga for the Putik Pare leg slated on November 18.  It's a duathlon relay involving a trail run and mountain bike that promises to provide an exciting challenge.

The Vaseline Men XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon Series is sponsored by Alaska, Timex, Gatorade, Summit Water, David's Salon, LBC, AirPhil Express, Prudential Guarantee, 2XU, Dusit Thani Manila and media partners The Philippine Star, Multisport, SBR and Studio 23.  Host venues for this year are Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, and Amara, Porter Marina, and Papa Kit's in Liloan Cebu.