Pico Tri Invitational is a 1.2K swim, 35K bike, and 8K run around Hamilo Coast in Pico de Loro, Nasugbu, Batangas.  Hamilo Coast is SM Land’s premier leisure destination about 2 ½ hours’ drive from Manila via the usual Tagaytay-Nasugbu route, but there’s also a seasonal ferry service that cuts travel time by about an hour.

Personally, I find travelling to Hamilo Coast by sea more relaxing.  There are no traffic jams and zigzag roads to traverse—just smooth sailing.  It actually kind of felt like going on a vacation in a remote island, but I’m actually just headed south of Manila.

Unlike last year where I got to have a first glance of my room at Pico Sands Hotel after sunset, this time around I got to enjoy it the moment I arrived!

Of course I was in Hamilo Coast primarily to cover Pico Tri Invitational, so after lunch I was off, together with other friends from the media, to cover the event due shortly at the Beach Club.

Of course these events don’t happen as fast as you scrolled to see those pictures!  Between those legs were some “idle” moments since we’re basically waiting for the participants to complete their stages and be back on the transition area.

And after 1:47:27, the champion of this year’s Pico Tri Invitational is the reigning champ, Mr. Mathieu O’Halloran.  He’d be followed in about three and a half minutes by Benjamin Rana.  The first lady of the event was Ms. Kim Mangrobang clocking in at 2:04:17 followed three minutes behind by Jenny Rose Guerrero.  You may view the complete race results here.

It was quite a beautiful afternoon, and I’m by the beach, so after all the “media duties” it was time to take a dip!  I just love the beaches of Hamilo Coast!

The sun was down, but the fun hasn’t stopped! By nightfall everyone’s looking forward to the awarding ceremonies and of course the well-deserved buffet!

After a long day’s work, it was time for me to return to my home in Hamilo Coast, Pico Sands Hotel.  This hotel has some of the best rooms I’ve ever stayed in during travel, and I really have no problems sleeping in (in fact I always had problems getting up! :D).

The following day was quite interesting for me as I got to explore Hamilo Coast on foot and see some nooks and crannies I’ve never seen before.

From Pico Sands Hotel I decided to walk towards the Beach Club (which isn’t really that close come to think of it) before finally saying goodbye.  Normally, I’d take the shuttle service but since I’ve not been doing much to justify eating all the good food here, might as well walk it off by walking—under the heat of the Philippine summer sun!

Eventually it was time say goodbye to the beach… and eventually to Hamilo Coast.  For the last time, I decided to go back to the hotel by jogging in the midst of the hot sun!  At least I could safely say that I was able to run along the pathways of Hamilo Coast, and there’s surprisingly quite a lot of it!  I’ll be sure to jog the entirety of this pathway the next time I’m around!

The last part of this trip was getting back to Manila by sea. Come to think of it, I’ve never had the chance to return to Manila from this manner, and it was really exciting!

I would like to thank Hamilo Coast for inviting me again to cover Pico Tri Invitational.  It was, as always, a pleasant experience.  I always look forward to returning to Hamilo Coast, and hopefully more events will be held here so I can have more chance to return, be as a participant or mere “spectator.”  Until my next visit, Hamilo Coast! 😀

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For more information about Hamilo Coast: SM Land’s premier, sustainable leisure destination in Nasugbu, Batangas, visit hamilocoast.com.