150 participants enlist for National Age Group Triathlon

AN exciting weekend awaits folks in Sogod, north of Cebu as the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa hosts three triathlon events — the SuperTriKids (STK) and the second Philippine Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifier on Saturday and the 3rd leg of the 2013 National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) on Sunday.

Organizer Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said during the press conference yesterday at the Irie Gastropubliko that some 150 participants have already signed up for the event.

“Last year, we reached about 220 participants so now we are expecting to attract about 250 including 50 to 60 for the STK,” Rodriguez said.

With Rodriguez were former Philippine triathlon record holder Noy Jopson, Philippine developmental team member Justin Chiongbian, his mother Millette Chiongbian and Alegre Beach Resort and Spa marketing manager Bruce Bollozos.

Bollozos said this weekend’s affair is also a pre-event celebration for the resort’s 20th anniversary. He added that the Alegre Beach Resort and Spa is the only resort in Cebu that is recognized as one of the best in Asia.

Rodriguez also announced that this weekend’s event will also be the first Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) event here in Cebu which will use RFID timing chips and will have automatic online results on the www.runningmate.ph.

Rodriguez added that the youngest participant will be under seven years old while the oldest is a 62-year-old American.

Some of the participants will also be coming from Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and some seven YOG qualifier including Cebu’s very own Chiongbian, Louie Lalanto, Ohj Nobles, Sam Ranque, Vicky Deldio and Magali Echauz.

Jopson, who is gunning for a third win in Alegre, said that he would always make it a point to join a triathlon in Alegre because for him it is an ideal venue for the race.

“With its pristine waters and no traffic, I have wonderful memories of Alegre. This is one of the events that Cebuanos always look forward to,” Jopson said.

He added that his daughter Mikele is also excited about competing in the STK.

Those interested can still register at The Brick at J Center Mall, Rudy Project and Runnr in Ayala Center-Cebu and at the Brick at J Center Mall. On-site registration will also be accepted but only one hour before the race starts.

Rodriguez also announced that in the spirit of fairness, the overall winner in the women’s division will get an overnight stay at the Alegre Beach Resort & Spa on top of the intended cash prize.

“It wasn’t my intention that women prizes will be lower than the men. Before there were less women participants so the prize was lower and it became just automatic. But since the issue has been raised, future races will now have equal prize for men and women,” Rodriguez said. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON