Metafit Tri Team out to inspire

CEBU, Philippines – The Alaska IronKids and a world-class triathlon expo will usher in the hotly-anticipated Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines this Sunday at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

A total of 169 young aspiring triathletes from all over the country are expected to take part in the equally-exciting Ironkids, the junior version of the Ironman Philippines, slated on August 1.

Now on its fifth year in the country, the Alaska IronKids features several age groups ranging from six to 14 years old.

One day before the race proper, there will be a 2.5-kilometer Alaska IronKids Run Out to Punta Engaño Elementary School starting at 6 a.m.

Being triathletes, IronKids participants together with Ironman champions like Pete Jacobs, Caroline Steffen, and Alaska Tri-Aspire Team coach Matt O’Halloran, and Filipino elites Banjo Norte, and Jenny Guerrero will all run out to the Punta Engaño ES where over 1,600 children will join the Alaska for Breakfast campaign.

At 7 a.m, every participant and student will engage in physical exercise and drink Alaska Milk. The Alaska for Breakfast movement encourages everyone to start the day right with a nutritious breakfast with Alaska Milk.

This aims to foster a healthy consciousness among individuals and families—through the combination of exercise and proper nutrition—is Alaska’s way in helping the government fight against the increasing number of obese children and adults in the country.

Aside from the IronKids, the participants as well as the guests are set to experience a world-class Triathlon Expo, the biggest in Asia-Pacific with over 36 exhibitors.

For the keenly-awaited Ironman spectacle presented Sunrise Events, Inc. in partnership with title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink, a record-number 2,616 entries from 52 countries across six continents are set to take part in the much sought-after race where slots got sold-out within 40 minutes from registration opening.

The event has also attracted the deepest field of PROs to ever compete in the history Philippine triathlon. World champions Craig “Crowie” Alexander and Pete “PJ” Jacobs, both from Australia, and defending Cobra Ironman champions Brent McMahon of Canada and Caroline Steffen of Switzerland banner the formidable list of PRO lineup.

The other Ironman big shots include Luke McKenzie, Clayton Fettell, Michael Murphy, Justin Granger, Stef Puszka, Michelle Wu, Sam Betten, Tim Van Berkel, Dimity Lee-Duke, Tim Reed, Derek Cross and Belinda Granger of Australia, Bree Wee and Beth Gerdes of the US,  Cameron Brown of New Zealand, Nick Baldwin of Seychelles, Carole Fuchs of France, and Kathryn Haesner of Germany.

The event also serves as qualifying race for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Sunshine Coast, Australia where 40 age-group qualifying slots will be at stake. For more details, one may visit www.ironman703phil.com. (FREEMAN)