Sprint event to provide Bohol 5150 appetizer

The springboard that many beginners and aspiring full-time triathletes use to get to main event action also happens Sunday when the Sunrise Sprint serves as an aperitif to the 5150 Bohol showcase in Panglao.

More than just a curtain-raiser to the milestone 10th staging of the 5150, the sprint event has introduced newcomers to the sport while inspiring many to pursue bigger goals—from completing Olympic—distance races to eventually competing among the country’s elite triathletes.

The sprint is a 750-meter open-water swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run, as the format allows first-timers to experience the unique demands of triathlon without the extensive preparation required for longer races.

With the champion crowned on Sunday, the event’s legacy extends far beyond the podium as it continues to nurture the next generation of triathletes by providing them their first taste of multisport competition as they dream of one day conquering longer distances.

The main event will cater to a far bigger field littered with international flavor, with Erika Burgos leading the local challenge as she seeks to win the event a third time in the last six years.

Burgos, a member of the national squad and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, is the odds-on pick to rule the Olympic-distance race featuring a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. She was champion here in 2022 and 2023.