‘Tinman’ boosts Ilocos tourism

LAOAG CITY -- Around 185 triathletes took part in the fifth Tri-Ilocos Norte last March 18, organized by TriSports Solutions Inc., Tri North, an Ilocos Norte-based triathlon club and provincial government.

The triathlon was first held in 2013, to build up the province’s “sports tourism” wherein national and foreign athletes were invited and have been participating ever since.

This year it was dubbed as “Tinman”, which according to Mikey Chua, TSI head and race director, is their own version of the “half-ironman.”.

“TIN stands for Tri Ilocos Norte and later napag alaman namin na ang TIN pala is more resilient underwater than iron, parang Ilocos Norte lang, resilient province.” Chua added.

According to Chua, the race course this year was improved in terms of safety through the assistance of the PGIN.

He cited participation of young Ilocanos through the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association, who helped and guided participants throughout the course.

The event featured individual sprint, the 750-meter swim, 20-km bike and 5-km run, individual/relay standard course of 51.5km (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run), and individual/relay “half-ironman” or 70.3 miles (1.9km swim- 90km bike and 21km run).

Also included were age group ranges from 12 years old up to 50 and above.

The first stage was the swimming course at the beach front of Playa Tropical Resort in Currimao, followed by the biking route stretching through Currimao, Paoay and Laoag City via the Currimao-Paoay-Suba-Balacad Road and going back to Playa Tropical Resort.

The third and the last stage was the running route starting at Playa Tropical Resort to the Pangil Rock formation and again finishing at Playa Tropical.

Jazz Valdez emerged as the overall champion of the 113-kilometer race. 

Meanwhile, Jonathan Arellano from La Union and Lou Ann Ramos from Baguio ruled the 51.50-kilometer category while Jeth Ramos and his 15-year-old son Joshua Ramos, both from Baguio, were the overall champions in the sprint division.

Chua said new and returning participants appreciated Ilocos Norte’s natural landmarks which help to promote a pollution free environment.

Gov. Imee R. Marcos who envisions the province as a “sports and wellness hub by 2020” supports major sports events, not only due to their potential to strengthen Ilocos Norte’s tourism industry but also because more Ilocanos are now becoming health conscious.

Organizers followed international triathlon safety standards, adding that the smooth coordination among TSI, Tri North and the PGIN was strong factor in ensuring success of the event.- Glenn T. Batuyong, photo by Alaric M. Yanos