Overview:
Palau is set to welcome regional athletes and coaches for the Regional Triathlon Development Camp from March 16–21, building toward the Pacific Cup.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau — Palau is set to welcome regional athletes and coaches for the Regional Triathlon Development Camp from March 16–21, building toward the Pacific Cup, a key Oceania-sanctioned competition that will test endurance, speed and race readiness across swim, bike and run.
Hosted by the Palau Triathlon Federation, the weeklong camp is designed to strengthen athlete performance and prepare competitors for international events, while giving local triathletes access to elite-level training.
“We are excited and pleased to be able to host this event,” said Leah Asanum Gilham, president of the Palau Triathlon Federation. “This will provide many of our members with the opportunity to be trained by high-performance coaches,” she said, noting that such training opportunities would otherwise be costly.
The camp is funded by the Oceania Triathlon Federation, which supports participation for one male athlete, one female athlete and one coach from each country. The regional body will also deploy high-performance coaching staff to lead the intensive training sessions.
The program mirrors last year’s regional camp in Fiji, where Palau’s rising triathlete Elngoi Gibbons competed. Following that training, Gibbons earned a nomination to represent Oceania at the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The upcoming camp and Pacific Cup will serve as a crucial points opportunity for Gibbons as she works to secure qualification for the Youth Olympics.
Training sessions will be based in Koror throughout the week, with athletes using facilities at the Palau Pacific Resort, one of the event’s key local partners. The resort has provided discounted rates for competitors and teams attending both the camp and the race.
The Pacific Cup race itself will be staged in Ngiwal State, an Oceania Federation-certified triathlon venue that meets regional competition standards.
So far, five countries have confirmed participation, with additional teams expected. Interest in the sport has grown across the region, especially with triathlon returning to the Pacific Games program. Several countries are using the event as part of their preparation for upcoming regional competition.
The March camp and race mark a significant step for Palau as it strengthens its presence on the Oceania triathlon circuit and expands opportunities for local athletes to compete and develop at a higher level.
Ahead of the regional event, the Palau Triathlon Federation will host its first domestic race of the season — the Dare to Tri Sprint Triathlon — on Sunday, Feb. 15. The race begins at 6:30 a.m. at Meyuns Ramp (Meyuns Skojio).
Motorists and the public are urged to use caution and remain alert for cyclists and runners along the course to help ensure the safety of athletes, visitors and the community.