SAMAL ISLAND — Eryk Omandam and Natasha Doromal-Lim return to Samal Island here on Sunday, chasing back-to-back titles, but the defending champions will have to navigate a deeper and more competitive field as the Damosa Land 5150 brings the inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series to its climactic finish.

The Davao del Norte staging marks the fourth and final stop of the seven-month circuit, which has taken Olympic-distance triathlon to four of the country’s premier island destinations and showcased the Philippines as a compelling stage for world-class multisport competition.

The Olympic-distance test — 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run — caps a series put together by the Philippine Sports Commission, with elite-level competition at its core but with an equally important mission: bringing high-caliber sporting events to spectacular natural destinations across the country.

From the waters and coastlines of Guimaras to the challenging terrain of Camiguin and the scenic roads of Bohol, the series has combined endurance racing with the sights, communities and character of each host destination. The circuit, organized by Sunrise Events Inc., also serves as a central pillar of the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Council’s program to position the Philippines as a premier destination for world-class sporting events.

Now, the spotlight shifts to Samal, where hundreds of athletes are set for another race to remember — and another opportunity to experience the island’s smooth highways, white-sand beaches, clear waters and vibrant communities.