Guimaras to host 5150 Triathlon in March 2026

By Mariela Angella Oladive

In its bid to establish the island as a premier sports tourism destination in the Philippines, the province of Guimaras is set to host its inaugural 5150 Triathlon on March 8, 2026.

The event, which will also serve as the opening leg of the 5150 Triathlon Islands Series, was officially launched during the Guimaras Tourism Future Summit on Oct. 27, signaling the start of preparations for the international sporting event.

Governor Ma. Lucille Nava said the triathlon will put the province in the global spotlight and open new economic opportunities for local communities.

“It tells the world that Guimaras is not only a haven of mangoes and natural beauty but also a destination of strength, vitality, and world-class standards,” she said.

“It will bring new athletes, enthusiasts, and international attention to our island, creating opportunities for our small businesses and challenging us to raise our standards of service and infrastructure,” she added.

The event is organized in partnership with Sunrise Events Inc., the local licensee of the global IRONMAN brand, and the Provincial Tourism Office.

The province targets a 30 percent increase in tourist arrivals from its 2024 baseline, when 71,215 visitors generated more than PHP 175 million in tourism receipts.

Sunrise Events Inc. General Manager and Managing Director Ma. Christina Galaura said the 5150 Series promotes sports tourism, healthy lifestyles, and local economic growth by sourcing supplies and services locally.

“Participants typically spend around USD 3,000 in one race, covering airfare, accommodation, food, and other expenses. Our goal is to boost local economies, showcase the beauty of host provinces, and promote the Philippines as a world-class triathlon destination,” she stressed.

She noted that the island was chosen as one of the Visayan hosts because of its beautiful scenery, accessible facilities, and strong support for sports tourism.

The 5150 Triathlon is an Olympic-distance race that features a 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike, and 10-kilometer run, with a total cut-off time of five hours and 30 minutes.

Athlete check-in and the triathlon expo are scheduled for March 6–7, ahead of race day.

The event will include individual and relay sprint categories, with an estimated 300 participants expected to join.

Registration is now open, and interested athletes can find more details on the official 5150 Guimaras Facebook page.

The provincial government hopes that hosting large-scale sporting events such as the 5150 Triathlon will help sustain this momentum and further boost its sports tourism profile.