Erika Burgos is gearing up for another shot at Olympic distance glory, headlining a stellar lineup determined to challenge her pursuit of consecutive victories in the 5150 Bohol event, set to kick off on July 14 at the Bellevue Resort on Panglao Island.
Burgos, who outperformed Leyann Ramo to secure the overall championship last year, is fully prepared to defend her title in the 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run event, sponsored by Sun Life. However, despite her confidence, Burgos is aware of the formidable competition she faces from top athletes like Katrina Salazar, Kriska Sto. Domingo, Sittie Dimaporo, Ana Isabel Locsin, and Dezz Mae Gapuza, among others.
Registration for the event is ongoing. For details, visit IRONMAN 5150 Bohol and follow the event on social media platforms under Sun Life 5150 Bohol on Facebook and 5150bohol on Instagram. For information on the Sunrise Sprint, visit Go For Gold Sunrise Sprint.
The race has already attracted a diverse group of international participants, including 10 from South Korea, eight from the US, and six from Great Britain. Athletes from Australia, Switzerland, Germany, France, Greece, India, Japan, Mexico, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan have also registered.
In addition to the overall championship, titles will be contested across various age categories: 15-to-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65-69. The event, organized by the IRONMAN Group, also features relay races and the Sunrise Sprint (S2), a short-distance event comprising a 750-meter swim, 20 km bike ride, and 5 km run.
The 5150 race is designed to cater to both novice and experienced athletes looking to build a strong base and improve their performance. The S2 category, in particular, is tailored for beginners, emerging athletes and those aiming to re-enter the sport.
Adding to the excitement and allure of the races is Bohol’s tropical atmosphere, with participants swimming in pristine clear waters, biking through scenic countryside, and running along coastal roads lined with enthusiastic spectators.
The race also aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyle among Filipinos, encouraging them to aspire to the IRONMAN level.
Backers of the event are Go For Gold, The Bellevue Resort, the Province of Bohol, the Municipalities of Dauis and Panglao, Santé, Bohol Sandugo, Bohol Integrated Development Foundation, Inc., Sportograf, Manila Bulletin and Tempo.