The Penong's 5150 Davao unfolding this Sunday guarantees nothing but a vigorous relentless action and pace among a mix of bidders all primed in a race against time on a well laid-out Olympic-style course in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The local government, through Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib and Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, and the sponsoring Penong's Barbecue Seafood and Grill have thrown their full support to ensure the smooth staging of the 1.5k swim, 40k bike and 10k run event at The Wrec, Hijo Resort Davao.

The organizing IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events Inc. have twice postponed the holding of Penong's 5150 in 2020 and 2021 due to pandemic. But after the successful conduct of the Sun Life 5150 Bohol and the IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines in Cebu, things are looking up for the return of the endurance race in Mindanao.

"It is both challenging and exciting to host this event delayed by Covid-19 pandemic. We are confident that our dynamic partners — IRONMAN, Hijo Resorts, the City of Tagum and the Province of Davao del Norte — will be able to give everyone a safe and memorable race experience," Penong's operations manager Jose Sebastian Regis said.

"As we did with the pandemic, let us all persevere through the challenges, let us all race with courage and let us all finish with pride," he added.

Penong's actually made its way to the triathlon calendar in 2019 but reduced it to a duathlon format due to concerns over the quality of water in the swim stage.

But with all the routes checked and all in place, it's all go for the swim-bike-run race.

"It is actually our inaugural race in Tagum City for 5150 and Sprint and we have prepared an excellent and safe race on a breathtaking racecourse for everyone to enjoy," race director Neville Manaois said.

Meanwhile, the field is all geared up for a duel of speed and staying power not only in various age-group categories but also in the relay all-male and relay all-female and the relay mixed.

Spicing up the event is the Sunrise Sprint, a 750m open-water swim, 20km bike and 5km run race for athletes making a comeback in the ever-growing sport or those seeking to practice and build up to reach IRONMAN level.