1st Quarter: 5 Triathlon Races to Jumpstart your 2019 Season

By Wires January 7, 2019

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Hopefully, we shook off the Holiday web of vacation and partying, and have started to get outdoors to shed some of the “gains” over the merry season. The 2018 season was a fantastic year for the Asia-Pacific triathlon scene, and we could not wait to start the 2019 edition. These 5 picks for Races from January to March will help you jumpstart the new race season of 2019:

National Age Group Triathlon-Subic Bay, Philippines (January 27, 2019)

Held in the Triathlon capital of the Philippines, the National Age Group Triathlon-Subic or NAGT, is the triathlon season opener for the Philippine racing scene. The event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with the SubicBay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, feature races in the standard distance (1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run), sprint distance (750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) and super sprint distance (500 M swim – 13 Km bike – 2.5 Km run).

The event, organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with the SubicBay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department, feature races in the standard distance (1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run), sprint distance (750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) and super sprint distance (500 M swim – 13 Km bike – 2.5 Km run).

Challenge Wanaka (February 16, 2019)

Rated as one of the most scenic triathlon race in the world, Challenge Wanaka is a must-do race for those aiming to tackle the iconic races in the global calendar. It is New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, featuring weekend events for all ages and abilities. It involves 2,000 participants, attracting 10,000 spectators and a global audience of millions. It involves a cold, glacial swim, one of the toughest bike course, but definitely the most-beautiful ride in New Zealand’s Southern Alps and a run course along the Alpines and lake that is more than a third off-road (hard-pack).

Fore more information: Challenge Wanaka

Ironman 70.3 Colombo (February 24, 2019)

This race won the Best Inaugural Race award in our 2018 Yearend awards. A fast and flat bike course made for breaking personal bike leg records and a scenic run course through the city and along the Indian Ocean. The race venue make it a great experience to the participants, and many athletes broke their personal records on race day (especially on the bike leg!). Colombo is a relatively small city but has plenty of conveniences and attractions. Perfect for those looking for a newer destination race in Asia.

Ironman 70.3 Davao (March 24, 2018)

Nearly 1800 athletes participated in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Davao last year, representing more than 40 countries. With this numbers, and the good feedback in social media, the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Davao was a huge success. This is the curtain raiser for 70.3 racing in the Philippines, which has 3 Ironman 70.3 races in its calendar. A long-time participant of Ironman races in the Philippines described Ironman 70.3 Davao as the “safest and cleanest” course of all Sunrise events in the Philippines. This does not reflect only on Sunrise’s expert organization, but also the huge local government support by Davao City. Time to hit the 2019 version of this race.

XTerra Taiwan: Asia Pacific Championships (March 30, 2018)

For those looking for an off-road adventure, this is the event to spot on the 1st quarter list. XTerra Taiwan will be held in Kenting National Park at the southern end of Taiwan. It is an idyllic outdoor sports paradise, renowned for it’s rugged mountain terrain, white sand beaches, caves, and coral reefs. It’s a perfect tag as the 2019 XTerra Asia-Pacific championship race.

One to Watch and Spectate:

Super League Triathlon Singapore (February 24, 2019)

All the fastest sprint distance triathletes in the world coming to Asia in a 2-day event in the now-renowned Super League-style of racing. While you can also participate in the event’s Fun Run or Corporate Team relay race, watching the ITU starts battle it out in a unique, heart-pulsing race format is the main purpose you have to come to Singapore on February 24. This is the deepest pool of top-level triathletes that you would see compete in one race.