‘Punta Bulata’ Off-Road Triathlon in Cauayan

It was the first official, PUNTA BULATA Off-Road Triathlon that took place on July 16, 2022, at Barangay Bulata, Cauayan.

The participants came from different parts of Negros Island Region, and the competitors spoke loudly about the hilly course’s trail difficulty, immersed in a 750m frigid water, 10km stomping on the pedals on a muddy, gravelly climb bike and a 5km run. Depending on your level of cardiovascular fitness, you may be able to complete a 5K running race without training the trail.

Most triathletes are excellent swimmers and or cyclists but detest the run and are not great at pacing and structured speed. Triathletes naturally spend most of their time on a bike and therefore can advance the most race advantage during the ride.

It was organized by Punta Bulata Group representatives Ron Zayco, Camille Zayco & Team Armand, headed by Armando Denajeba.

Denajeba said, the main purpose and objective of the Punta Bulata Off-Road Triathlon was to promote Triathlon among local athletes and encourage the younger generations to get into sports. “The majority of our local athletes are either cyclists or runners only and have not ventured into an athletic competition in which athletes compete in a race that involves swimming, cycling, and distance running. The discipline, diversity of activities, and cross training that differentiate it from other sports makes it more stimulating.”

The organizers limited the registration to 50 participants who have pre-registered; the competitors were from Bacolod City with guest athletes from Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, and Iloilo City. Participants were mostly friends who are local athletes and are devoted supporters.

Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez of the 6th District (CHICKS Area) of Negros Occidental and former House Deputy Speaker, 17th Congress, attended to support the initiative. The proceeds are donated to the locals, giving it back to the community, who were also involved with the event as marshal counterparts.

To bring the community together they will consider holding another Punta Bulata, Off-Road Triathlon event next year perhaps to attract more local athletes to compete.

Organizers have been overwhelmingly sponsored by various donors, including Mahogany Lumber, Nom Insulated, Havaianas, Globe, Pepsi, Cyclopaedia, Pepsi, Fast Western Petroleum Corp. Whyte plates, Sanderson Construction Supply, Sprint Ads, AUB, San Miguel Corporation, Dans and QUEDAN Bacolod.

Local “Pitik” photographers, Allen Steve T. Ombi-On (Pitik Allendog), Niel Serggie N. Maquiling (Neils Photography), Bhours Garcia (Bhours Photography) showed off their talents and captured the endurance of the athletes competing on multi-sport event.

The race venue was suited for the off-road trails that incorporated a mix of challenging rough, hilly terrain in the area, Punta Bulata Resort & Spa being in Cauayan, on the southern heel of Negros Island. It sits on 20-hectare tropical landscape, sprawling lawns and fronted by up to a kilometer of white sand beach facing the Sulu Sea, nestled in an idyllic location, a mere 20-minute boat ride from the renowned Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Sanctuary, 20-minute drive from the coastal city of Sipalay, and just a 3-hour drive from Bacolod City.* (Mary Grace Peralta-Gonzales)