ERYK OMANDAM and Natasha Doromal-Lim brace for a tougher and fiercer challenge as they seek back-to-back overall titles in the Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon which fires off September 20 on Samal Island in Davao del Norte.
The defending champions conquered the demanding Olympic-distance race-1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run-in last year’s inaugural staging beating a strong international field to claim the men’s and women’s overall crowns.
Omandam, a senior Human Resource Management student at the University of Mindanao, will again look to make his biggest gains in the bike and run legs as he targets not only a second straight overall championship but also the 20-24 age-group title in the event organized by Sunrise Events Inc.
The 33-year-old Doromal-Lim will also defend her 30-34 age-group crown with added emphasis on her swim preparation while remaining confident in her bike and run legs.
The Damosa Land 5150 also serves as the fourth and final leg of the four-race 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The series opened in Guimaras in March, moved to Camiguin in May and then headed to Bohol for the third leg, held during the province’s milestone 10th staging of the Olympic-distance race.
The circuit brings the globally recognized Ironman 5150 brand to key island destinations across the archipelago with the Damosa Land 5150 providing a fitting finale in Samal.
Supported by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the series goes beyond medals and podium finishes, bringing together sport, tourism and national branding in a four-island showcase of Philippine endurance racing.
The National Sports Tourism-Inter-Agency Council program also seeks to position the Philippines as a premier destination for world-class sporting events with the 5150 series helping demonstrate how elite competition can drive tourism and promote the country’s natural assets.