A record number of 120 young triathletes have signed up for this year’s Alaska IronKids Triathlon which will be held at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa on Aug. 4.
This number surpassed the 95 that the event drew last year when it was held at the CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur.
The event will be more exciting this year since the swimming segment will be held in the open water or the first time.
Of the 120, about 30 entries are from Cebu according to Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez, who has already organized five kids’ triathlon in Cebu.
Rodriguez said that when the registration for the Alaska IronKids opened in December, only a handful of Cebuano kids expressed interest.
However, after the two-day clinic conducted by Philippine team coach Melvin Fausto at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa last April, the number increased.
Categories for the Alaska IronKids are 6-8 years old, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.
Leading Cebu’s charge will be the Chiongbian brothers—13 years old Justin and 11 years old Yuan.
The two have been consistently topping competitions within and outside Cebu and internationally in Justin’s case.
Other noted entries are Mya Torralba (U-7), Nina Villaba (girls 11-12) and brothers Eduard Russel So and Ralph Eduard So, said Rodriguez.
The Cebuano kids will be battling defending champions Tara Borlain and Eric Almendral in the 6-8; Sophia Marie Vizcarra and Lance Vincent Plaza in the 11-12; and Magali Echauz and Justine Kyle Mapalo in the 13-14.
The Alaska IronKids Triathlon will usher in the Aug. 5 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Cebu. Both events are organized by Sunrise Events Inc. of Wilfred Uytengsu Jr.
DRY RUN TODAY
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City will be conducting a dry run today of their preparation for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Cebu.
In the morning, the vintas which will carry cheerers along the Hilutungan Channel in front of the Shangri-La, Movenpick and Portofino where the 1.9 kilometer swim segment will take place, will practice their stint for a smooth coordination with the medical team.
To take place in the afternoon is the dry run of well wishers who will be dotting the race route from the second Mactan-Mandaue bridge to Punta Engano.
No roads will be closed for the dry run.