Samal brings curtains down on 5150 season

The inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series heads into its finale on Sept. 20, with a deep field of veteran campaigners and emerging stars set to battle for racing supremacy in Samal Island, Davao del Norte—one of the country’s fast-rising triathlon destinations.

A spirited showdown over the demanding Olympic-distance course of a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40 km bike and 10 km run that will make up the Damosa Land 5150 is expected in the circuit’s closing leg.

Against the backdrop of Samal’s white sand beaches, smooth highways and strong community support, the finale will be a fitting conclusion to a landmark inaugural circuit that has brought the globally recognized Ironman 5150 brand to some of the Philippines’ most scenic island destinations.

The series, supported by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, kicked off in Guimaras in March, moved to Camiguin in May, and made its third stop in Bohol, coinciding with the province’s milestone 10th staging of the Olympic-distance race.

For Samal, the race is also a return engagement.

The island hosted the event for the first time last year as Eryk Omamdam and Natasha Doromal-Lim emerged as the overall champions.