Despite some minor changes due to the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC), the second Cebu City Triathlon will push through today at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
With more than 200 triathletes, the race will kick off at 5:30 a.m. traversing some of the city’s major thoroughfares. It features a 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run route and is the only triathlon race held in the middle of Cebu City.
Organizer Steve Maniquis of Cornerstone Group, said that it’s all go and green for today’s race.
“We have to start early and finish the race early because of the IEC. Most of the volunteer PNP personnel are also assigned to secure the IEC. We also limited this year’s slots so that the race won’t take that long because of the IEC. Besides, most of the roads that the race will cover are also part of the IEC. But despite this, we still managed to draw in 204 triathletes as of last count and around a dozen relay teams,” Maniquis told CDN.
According to Maniquis, their top priority will be the safety of the participants that’s why they will be deploying more than a hundred personnel along the route composed of volunteers, PNP officers, CITOM officers and staff of Cornerstone Group.
The race is expected to wrap up at 8:30 a.m.
STRONG CONTENDERS
Fifteen-year old Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon, the women’s elite division defending champion will defend her title today against tough opponents while the men’s elite division title is left vacant after Justin Chiongbian decided not to race as he is currently training abroad along with his younger brother Yuan.
“Naturally, I am nervous because I have to defend my title but overall, I think it would be a good race just like last year’s,” said Mataragnon.
Mataragnon’s father Ritche revealed that his daughter is having back problems which could be a big factor today. He said Aaliyah’s training was not that good considering she’s having difficult time completing workouts because of her back injury. However, he expects his daughter to pull an impressive race like what she did in Hong Kong last October where she finished second.
She will go up against Rider Omega Pro Tri Team’s Cianyl Jamae Gonzales, Amale Jopson, Issah Priagula, Karen Andrea Manayon and national team member Jacqui Lamparero.
In the male elite division, top contenders are Boholano ace triathlete Paul Jumamil of Rider Omega Pro Tri Team, Cebuano John Philip Dueñas, Noy Jopson, Joseph Miller, Kristiane Lim, Jorry Ycong and Emmanuel Commendador.