Marivees, Bataan – The Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) officially joined the country’s endurance sports circuit with the successful staging of the FAB 5150 Triathlon, the first-ever global 5150 event in Luzon, held on 16 November 2025, featuring the Olympic-distance format of a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run.
The event gathered hundreds of triathletes from across the Philippines and abroad, including participants from Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, and several European nations. Organized by Sunrise Events Inc. and presented by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), the FAB 5150 Triathlon marked a defining moment for Mariveles and Bataan as it welcomed its first global endurance race.
The three-day activity began with the opening of the 5150 Expo on 14 November, which featured local and national sports brands, exhibitors, and pre-race preparations. On 15 November, the FAB Run brought together 500 Freeport workers, residents, and guests for a 5-kilometer community event that underscored AFAB’s drive to promote wellness within the FAB.
Race day on November 16 transformed the Freeport’s landscape into a challenging course that blended natural and industrial scenery. The swim leg started in the calm waters near the FAB’s port area, followed by a 40-kilometer cycling route stretching through the Freeport’s main roads and coastal bends, and ended with a 10-kilometer run along the peninsula’s scenic ridges. The Sunrise Sprint, held on the same day, featured shorter distances — a 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, and 5-kilometer run — for first-time and intermediate triathletes.
Under the leadership of Administrator and CEO Hussein Pangandaman, AFAB led the coordination with several partner agencies to ensure safety, traffic management, and crowd control. The Philippine National Police–Mariveles, PNP–Maritime, Philippine Coast Guard, Port Security Office, Mariveles Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and the concerned barangays provided essential support throughout the weekend, ensuring order from the starting line to the final stretch.
The event also coincided with the visit of the LGU of Guimaras, which observed AFAB’s planning and execution of large-scale events as part of its benchmarking activities.
Local businesses in Mariveles and nearby towns benefited from the influx of participants and visitors. Hotels, restaurants, and transport operators reported a surge in activity, reinforcing the growing potential of sports tourism within the Freeport.
For AFAB, hosting the 5150 Triathlon demonstrated how the Freeport’s infrastructure — from its wide road networks to its accessible waterfront — can support both industry and recreation. The event reflected the kind of disciplined preparation, cooperation, and endurance that define not only the race itself but the spirit of the Freeport Area of Bataan.