by Kristel Satumbaga
Zamboanga City tries to build a reputation as a sports tourism hub in the South by holding the inaugural Compressport Hermosa Triathlon on Oct. 13.
The race will coincide with the city’s annual celebration of La Hermosa Festival, the oldest cultural and religious festival in the country in honor of Our Lady of Pilar.
Launched last Friday at Unison Bikes, distributor of the sponsoring Compressport, in Quezon City, it is the first major triathlon event in the city organized by Fuerza Multisport in cooperation with the city government of Zamboanga.
Categories on tap in the 1.6-kilometer swim, 45-km bike, 11-km run are Elite, All-Men, All-Women, Mixed Relays, and five age group divisions for Men and Women.
Fuerza Multisport Head and Race Director Jojo Macalintal said the event will provide an increasing number of triathletes in the region another venue for competition while offering the Zamboanga Peninsula and the whole of Mindanao the opportunity to showcase their talents.
The race route will be held within the city limits, showcasing the vibrancy and history of the city known as the “Asian’s Latin City”, and will mostly have calm waves and a flat course.
The event will also be launched on Aug. 1 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Exposition where products and destinations from the provinces of the peninsula will be showcased.
