WHAT’S celebrated restaurateur Raymund Magdaluyo doing organizing and promoting an international duathlon race?
Magdaluyo is owner and/or co-owner of restaurants such as Sumo Sam, The Italian Market, New Orleans Bourbon Steaks and Oysters, Claw Daddy, Red Crab, Teddy’s Bigger Burger, Black Beard, Seafood Islands, 12 monkeys, Hatch 22, Crisp on 28th, Pink Panda, Sprout, Sabao and Baits.
His first foray into racing was organizing the Challenge Philippines in 2014. Later he introduced races such as the Bataan International Triathlon or Bi3 until finally he focused on the Powerman Duathlon Pilipinas.
He said he saw the opportunity to help Filipino athletes compete in a sport that they can excel in, help bring them to the global stage and create a community which will support an international event for tourism and job creation.
Duathlon is not only more suited to local conditions it also more accessible to ordinary people who may not be able to shoulder the expenses entailed to participate in a triathlon.
“Duathlon can surpass triathlon which is expensive. It is expensive to swim and train in good swimming pools. It is not only expensive but also difficult to go to a sea or the ocean where you can safely swim. Medyo mahirap. Duathlon is more democratized,” said Magdaluyo who is President and CEO of F&B International Events Group which brought the Powerman to the Philippines.
The event is now on its third year. It is presented by Summit Drinking Water. It is backed by Clark Freeport Zone and SCTEx as official venue partners, official energy drink Cobra, official sports apparel partner Columbia, official sports nutrition partner ActiveHealth, official timing partner Garmin and event partners Seafood Island Restaurant, Hammer Nutrition, Dan’s Endurance, 2XU and Skechers Performance.
Magdaluyo said they staged the event to promote run-bike-run not just as a sport but also as a lifestyle. He said they want to encourage runners to enjoy biking and bikers to love running.
Organizers expect 800 to participate. There are already 550 participants registered with still two months to go before the race. The competition, which continues to grow, is now on its third year.
“We want Clark to be the permanent home of Powerman. We want the people of Pampanga as well to embrace the event as their own. Duathlon is a natural progression from running or biking. It is therefore a sport to participate in. We want to promote Powerman as more than just a sport but more so as a lifestyle,” said Magdaluyo.
Organizers said a big turnout is likely especially now that the sport is growing in the country.
The race includes the following categories: the Powerman Classic (10-km run, 60-km bike, 10-km run), the Powerman Short (5k run, 30-km bike, 5-km run) and the Powerteens.