MACTAN, Cebu— Zedrick Borja and Moira Erediano reaffirmed their dominance to rule the 13-14 Boys and Girls categories of the 2018 Alaska IRONKIDS Cebu here at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa yesterday, Aug. 4.
Borja and Erediano also won the Alaska IRONKIDS Davao last March to post back-to-back victories this year.
Borja, who took the lead after the swim, had to do it the hard way beating back the strong challenge of Clifford Pusing. Both had identical times in the swim and bike. They sprinted to the finish line side-by-side with Borja (38 minutes, 24 seconds) prevailing by one tenth of a second over Pusing (38:24.1).
Borja and Pusing also placed first and second in Davao.
Earol Belonquil (39:49.5) at third and Gian Taylor (39:49.8) were also neck-and-neck at the finish line.
Erediano (41:12.7) climbed all the way from fifth place after the swim to take the lead after the first 400 meters of the run to win comfortably ahead of Nicole Del Rosario (42:01).
Erediano also posted back-to-back victories last year in Subic and Cebu although she was in the 11-12 Girls category.
Jeanna Canete (43:11.38) placed third after sprinting past Gene Heart Quiambao (43:11.95).
Despite landing just a fraction of a second out of a podium finish Quiambao was a revelation. The tall (5’9”), 13-year-old La Salle Zobel student competed in just her first triathlon. She finished the swim 10 seconds faster than the fastest swimmer in the boys category (Borja).
The 2018 Alaska IRONKIDS Triathlon Cebu is the culmination of a year-long calendar of triathlon activities for young boys and girls who are six to 14 years old.
Alaska Associate Brand Manager Diane Guerta said Alaska is proud of how the event has continued to grow over the years.
“We are very happy to see new participants. For example in the Play category younger and younger kids are trying the sport. More kids are trying the sport. We are really introducing triathlon to Filipinos. We’re really proud. To be honest triathlon was not really a popular sport in the Philippines. Since Alaska IRONKIDS introduced triathlon in the Philippines for kids it has really grown as a sport,” said Guerta.
Other winners include Justin Hermosa, Jacob Kennedy Lipura and Jacob Clint Lipura in the Boys 11-12 category. Kira Ellis, Kelly Yin Wern Long and Arianna Danielle Lim won in the Girls 11-12 category.
Carron Paulter Cañas, Wincy Pagnanawon and Connor Hodges were the winners in the 9-10 years old for boys. Zuerielle Kenzie Galo, Caitriona Danelle Bacus and Raiannelle Bacus won in the 9-10 years old category for girls.
More than just a race, Alaska IRONKIDS has become a venue for families to bond with parents showing their children that being physically fit and healthy is more fun.
“I think it started with kids who like swimming biking and running. They got to see their parents who competed in the triathlon. Because these parents were triathletes, they encouraged their kids to try the sport. The children start with the play category. When they grow up, they then try to race,” said Guerta.
“Alaska has an important role. It is not just to provide nutrition but also really to encourage children to have an active lifestyle and develop important values like sportsmanship, proper attitude and respect for others.”
For more information visit www.Ironkidsphil.com and playph.com. Follow @AlaskaMilkPhilippines and @playPH in Facebook for live updates.