Bagong Bayani honors to highlight Dapitan 5150 triathlon, sunrise sprint

DAPITAN CITY – More than 400 athletes from 12 countries are set to embody the spirit of heroism tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 8) as they compete in the 5150 Triathlon Dapitan and the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint in Zamboanga del Norte.

Both events, set against the rich cultural and historical backdrop of Dapitan City, promise a thrilling mix of competition and celebration, particularly with the prestigious Bagong Bayani awards to be presented. This year’s awards will honor athletes not only for their outstanding physical achievements but also for exemplifying resilience, perseverance, and national pride—values tied to the country’s history of heroism.

The Olympic-style 5150 triathlon features a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike ride, and 10 km run, attracting a competitive field in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Meanwhile, the Noli Run kicks off the weekend’s festivities today (Saturday), with participants dressed as characters from Dr. Jose Rizal’s novels. A total of P20,000 will be awarded to the top two best-costumed runners, one male and one female, adding a cultural twist to the event.

Top local triathlon teams such as Go for Gold, Tri SND Barracuda, Tandikan Tri Team, and Trimac will join many other athletes, both local and international.

“The 5150 Dapitan not only challenges athletes but also serves as a celebration of our rich cultural history,” said Dapitan City Mayor Seth “Bullet” Jalosjos. “Through this event, we aim to inspire our youth and community to embrace sportsmanship and the values of positive competition for a brighter future.”

Another key event is the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, a shorter but equally competitive triathlon featuring a 750m swim, 20 km bike, and 5 km run. Designed for both seasoned and emerging athletes, it aims to foster community participation and inspire the next generation of triathletes.

Jeremy Go, vice president for marketing of Powerball, the company behind Go for Gold Philippines, emphasized the importance of promoting short-course triathlons.

“The Sunrise Sprint promotes a healthy lifestyle and serves as a stepping stone for those aspiring to reach the competitive level of the sport,” Go said.

The overall Filipino champions (male and female) in the 5150 Dapitan will each receive P65,000, while the Sunrise Sprint winners will take home P30,000.

The Lipi ni Rizal competition, awarding the fastest finish times for teams with five members, offers P20,000 for the 5150 and P10,000 for the Sunrise Sprint. Additionally, the Fuertes Juntos relay will reward top finishers in the men’s, women’s, and mixed categories with P10,000 each. The Liga ni Rizal will grant P50,000 to the team with the most participants.

Princess Galura, general manager of The IRONMAN Group Philippines, praised Dapitan City for its continued support of the 5150 triathlon.

“Dapitan is a beautiful and welcoming race destination. Organizing an event that honors Filipino heroes, both past and present, fills us with pride and drives us to achieve greatness in our own ways,” Galura said.

The second 5150 Dapitan is supported by the local government of Dapitan City, Go for Gold for Sunrise Sprint, Active, Sante, Ion+ Advanced Electrolyte Drink, Manila Bulletin, and Tempo.

For details, visit www.ironman.com/5150-dapitan-philippines or email sai.mayol@ironman.com.