NEW CLARK CITY, Tarlac — About 700 triathletes will compete in New Clark City (NCC) on October 19-20.
“We’re proud to host the first triathlon in NCC. This is a world-class venue and we hope the complex will gain traction to more sporting events such as this, which can serve as training ground for our national athletes,” Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and CEO Vivencio Dizon said during Friday’s event press conference.
Sports facilities at NCC include the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center and 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium. Both meet the standards of their respective international governing bodies namely the Federation Internationale de Natation and International Association of Athletics Federations.
Apart from these, NCC also has a 525-room Athletes’ Village. It has gym amenities, kitchen and dining areas, conference rooms, and other recreational facilities.
“These sports facilities at NCC were not meant to be standalone for the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. It is really meant to honor our athletes and also to restart, to reignite the passion for sports in our country. Sports promotes discipline, sacrifice and teamwork. It has to be an integral part of the government’s anti-drug campaign. With these world-class facilities, the golden age of infrastructure through the Build Build Build will also usher in the golden age of sports development,” House Speaker and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairperson Alan Peter Cayetano said.
For her part, Senator and triathlete Pia Cayetano said she is happy that national athletes will now have world-class training facilities that they can call home.
“The main competition will be held on October 20 wherein we have three categories: a) NCC Tri Full consisting of 900m swim, 40km bike and 8km run; b) NCC Tri Sprint consisting of 450m swim, 20km bike and 4km run; and c) NCC Tri Full Relay which also involves 900m swim, 40km bike, and 8km run. The relay is perfect for those not ready to tackle triathlon individually,” GoClark Organizer Jumbo Tayag said.
“We also have side events on October 19 namely the Kids’ Triathlon and 5km Fun Run,” Tayag added.
Those who are interested may visit www.goclark.phto register or visit GoClark’s social media accounts (@goclarkph) on Facebook and Instagram.