Steffen, Atkinson Dominate the 2013 Cobra Energy Drink IronMan 70.3 Philippines

2013 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines WPro and MPro Champions Caroline Steffen and Courtney Atkinson

It’s a run away win for both the Alaska Team TBB’s Caroline Steffen and the Australian Courtney Atkinson who took the 2013 Cobra Energy Drink IronMan 70.3 Philippines WPro and MPro Division top spots by storm. 

Caroline Steffen clocked in at 04:16:12, crossing the finish line with an 11 minute lead against the second placer Bree Wee, while Courtney Atkinson finished off the race in 03:58:07, with just a little over a minute lead from the 2012 Champion Pete Jacobs.

The swim start was literally bumpy due to heavy rains and winds the entire night prior to the race. The inclement weather that Sunday morning of August 4 did not deter the strong – willed champs, Filipino elites, age groupers and celebrity triathletes from taking on the challenge of the much awaited IronMan 70.3 Philippines. Coming to the race venue, a lot of them had to be on foot because of the traffic build up leading to Shangri – La Mactan. 

In the Photo (from left): WTC CEO Andrew Messick,2nd Place Bree Wee, 5th Place Monica Torres, Champ Caroline Steffen, 4th Place Jacqui Slack, 3rd Place Belinda Granger; Lapu Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, SEI CEO Fred Uytengsu & Cobra Energy Drink Brand Mgr. Jeff Mendoza

Coming off from the swim course, the windy bike ride may have been a challenge for the racing champs because of wind resistance, but Atkinson made his first U – turn at the 29th kilometre way ahead of the other pros. The second pack of racers included Pete Jacobs, Chris McCormack, Brent McMahon, David Dellow, Josh Rix, Anthony Devos, Ben Allen, and Frederik Croneberg. The powerful quads of Steffen were all she needed to make the great lead on from her contemporaries. She was in the third pack of racers, who were all males. She was indeed living up to her monicker, Xena. Racing up on the second spot was Bree Wee, followed by Belinda Granger, Jacqui Slack and Philippines’ Monica Torres, who was competing in her first ever 70.3 as a Pro. The 90-kilometre bike ride transitioned to the 21 kilometre run course along the Punta Engaño Road. 

In the Photo (from left): WTC CEO Andrew Messick, 2nd Place Pete Jacobs, 5th Place Brent McMahon, Champ Courtney Atkinson, 4th Place Chris McCormack, 3rd Place David Dellow; Lapu Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, SEI CEO Fred Uytengsu & Cobra Energy Drink Brand Mgr. Jeff Mendoza

All participants had to make a couple of loops to complete the run course. Courtney Atkinson consistently held his position in the top spot after completing his second U – turn, up to the finish line. Catching up for the second place was Pete Jacobs, Alaska Team TBB’s David Dellow ended up on the third spot, followed by Chris McCormack and Brent McMahon for the fourth and fifth places, respectively. Caroline Steffen remained strong maintaining her lead among the WPros, and even gave Jenny Rose Guerrero, Alaska Team TBB’s Filipino WElite, a little push at some point along the run course. Bree Wee locked in on her second spot. And even while on the race, she gave one participant who was already walking some boost by telling him to keep going. Belinda Granger was also holding on to the third spot, with Jacqui Slack and Monica Torres taking the fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Each of them maintaining a significant lead from the other.

Filipino Elites

Filipino WElite 2nd Place Jenny Guerrero and Filipino MElite Champion Banjo Norte (rightmost), with Alaska Team TBB Manager Alex Bok (middle)

Despite being relatively new in the Filipino Elite Men’s category, Banjo Norte of Alaska Team TBB clocked in at 04:26:44, beating the more seasoned Filipino triathletes – 2012 Champion August Benedicto, and John Phillip Duenas, with a finish time of 04:32:38 and 04:33:18, respectively. 

Among the Filipino Women Elite, Allesandra Araullo – Gonzalez emerged as the top finisher with a time of 05:05:33. Taking the second place was Jenny Rose Guerrero, crossing the finish line in 05:20:02. Ani de Leon – Brown filled the third spot with a finish time of 05:22:43. 

Alasaka Team TBB

Alaska Team TBB, which was formed in 2012, was well represented in both the Pro and Filipino Elite categories. The Pros category was participated in by Caroline Steffen, David Dellow and resident coach Matt O’Halloran while the Filipino Elite was joined in by Jenny Guerrero, Dhill Anderson Lee and Banjo Norte.

Coach Matt is proud of the protegés for standing out among their contemporaries. Though not winning any spot in the Filipino Elite category, Dhill Anderson Lee won the Swim Time bonus, and he is set to work more on his runs. Jenny shared that she was already on the verge of giving up and would already wanted to walk during the last leg of the race. Teary – eyed, she shared, “My family was my motivation to keep going.” And her perseverance really paid off.

Banjo Norte, on his first IronMan podium finish, was “really grateful for all the children who lined up along the streets cheering for the triathletes.”

Alaska Team TBB (from left): Professional Triathlete and Coach Matt O’Halloran, David Dellow, Caroline Steffen, Filipino Elites Banjo Norte, Dhill Anderson Lee & Jenny Guerrero

World-famous and the Philippines’ pride apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas participated in this year’s Ironman 70.3 Philippines, who competed with his relay team. Though considered as legally blind (in US standards), he went out to show that physical challenges can’t stop a person from achieving his dreams. Other celebrities who participated in the event were Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, Isabelle Daza, Erwan Heusaff, and Drew Arellano. Tessa Prieto-Valdes, who competed in the relay category last year, was back in the game in the individual age group category.

The awarding ceremonies followed at the Shangri-La Mactan grounds, where Top Finishers in the Pro, Filipino Elite, CEO, Age Group and Relay categories were recognized. World – renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue designed this years Winners’ Trophies and Finisher’s Medal. The even wrapped up with an after-event party held at Mövenpick Hotel.

Here are the Top Winners:

Top Winners
	MPro		WPro
1st Place	Courtney Atkinson	03:58:07	Caroline Steffen	04:16:12
2nd Place	Pete Jacobs	03:59:09	Bree Wee	04:27:49
3rd Place	David Dellow	04:02:22	Belinda Granger	04:33:50
4th Place	Chris McCormack	04:03:15	Jacqui Slack	04:39:31
5th Place	Brent McMahon	04:04:05	Monica Torres	04:52:08

	Filipino MElite		Filipino WElite
1st Place	Banjo Norte	04:26:44	Allesandra Araullo-Gonzalez	05:05:33
2nd Place	August Benedicto	04:32:38	Jenny Guerrero	05:20:02
3rd Place	John Phillip Duenas	04:33:18	Ani Karina Brown	05:22:43

For a complete list of winners in the Individual and Relay categories, please visit the following links:
Cobra Energy Drink 70.3 IronMan Philippines Individual Official Results
Cobra Energy Drink 70.3 IronMan Philippines Relay Official Results

Cobra Energy Drink IronMan 70.3 Philippines 2013 was participated in by 2,150 triathletes from 35 countries. Ironman 70.3 is a triathlon event with a total distance of 70.3 miles (113km) covering 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim, 56 mile (90km) bike ride and 13.1 mile (21km) run. It was a race with a feel of a festival. An event that the Cebuanos and the global triathlon community is looking forward to.

For more race details, please log on to: http://www.ironman703phil.com/

Follow Alaska Sports Hub on Twitter: @AlaskaSportshub

Junior Triathletes to Compete in 2013 Alaska IronKids Triathlon

Alaska IronKids on August 3, 2013 @ Shangri-La Mactan

Now on its fourth year, Alaska IronKids brings junior triathletes 6 to 14 years to the historic Cebu for the Alaska IronKids Triathlon. The event is taking place at Shangri – La Mactan Hotel Beach Front on August 3, 2013.

Considered to be one of local junior sports’ most prestigious races, Alaska IronKids Triathlon is the local franchise of the internal IronKids Series, which has many notable alumni including Olympians Hunter Kemper and Nick Radkewich, Laura Reback and Douglas Mosiniak, Jr. The multi-sport event tests the children’s skill, discipline and endurance in swimming, biking and running. The race is divided into girls and boys division, categorised according to the following age brackets: 6-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old and 13-14 years old. All finishers receive a specially crafted finisher’s medal.

Will this year bring more participants to surpass last year’s attendance of 134 participants? Registration is already on going for young local and internal triathletes. As of press time, a total of 165 participants have already registered. This year’s event highlights the participation of Borlain Sisters, Ildefonso Sisters, the Pangilinan Siblings, and the McCormack Sisters.

On the front end to defend her title is consistent top finisher and Alaska Milk Ambassador Tara Borlain, who at 10 years old, has remained unbeatable. Also expected to top in their respective race category are 2012 top winners Syrah Ruth Uy and Eric Almendral who dominated the 6-8 year old category; Juris Aaron Tan in the 9-10 year old category; Lauren Justine Plaza and Yuan Chiongbian in the 11-12 years old group. Let’s see who makes the cut in the top three spots for the 13-14 years old category.

Wave 1: IronKids 11-14 y/o Race Route

Wave 2: IronKids 6-10 y/o Race Route

Alaska IronKids is part of Alaska Milk Corporation’s advocacy campaign “Nutrion. Action. Champion.”, which highlights the importance of nutrition and sports in the physical, mental and emotional development of the children. The campaign is very timely due to the fact that two out of 10 Filipino children below 10 years old are found to be overweight, while three out of 10 children are found undernourished in the latest survey of the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

Since its launch in 2010, Alaska IronKids has become a symbol for active and healthy lifestyle among children. Its successful races have encouraged children to take care of their bodies through exercise and balanced diet, and have instilled the values of determination, hard work, teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.

Alaska IronKids has mounted four races to date: Run races at UP Diliman Track Oval and Mall of Asia, Aquathlon at Ateneo de Manila Grade School, and Swimming competition at Marist School Marikina. To cap off this year’s races, another triathlon is scheduled on October 20 at Palms Country Club in Alabang.

Stay updated by logging on to www.ironkidsphil.com. Also, follow us on Twitter: @AlaskaSportshub

Alaska IronKids – Swim Race

Alaska IronKids Swim Race Winners (left to right): Gail Salonga, Drew Magbag, Julius Constantino, Tara Borlain, Sam Borlain, Jasmine Mojdeh, Jaz Villanueva, Noah Labasan and Gabriel Labasan

The impending tropical depression Gorio was a no – stopper to the Alaska IronKids held at Marist School Marikina on June 30, 2013. By 1am, PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration) announced that Typhoon Signal No. 2 has been raised over Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Strong wind was howling in the middle of the night as the heavy rain poured down. There were several inquiries from parents of the Ironkids who signed up to participate if the event was pushing through because of the weather condition.By 5 in the morning, it was confirmed that event was pushing through. 

Travelling was quite a challenge because the vicinity of the venue was known to be a flood basin during heavy downpours. Braving the rain and the winds early morning, I proceeded to the race venue. I was quite worried because I was already late for the 6am call time. By the time I reached the venue, the young triathletes were prepping up at the holding area. 

Considering the weather condition, some 174 participants showed up at the race. The participants raced in batches, or heats. While at the holding area, excitement can be seen in their faces. The covered area by the pool was cramped with parents and spectators alike, yet I haven’t heard or seen anyone complained. In fact, parents were enthusiastic in cheering up their children. 

The event was originally scheduled as a duathlon. Race Director Coach Ani de Leon-Brown confirmed that due to the bad weather, the race was reduced to a swimming competition. As always, she was hands on as the event progressed. 

While waiting for their respective race categories, the junior triathletes kept themselves busy with their PSPs.

As the race went along for each of the age group, some participants at the adjacent covered court entertained themselves with their PSPs. Also, an Alaska booth was set up where everyone can enjoy the refreshing and the healthy goodness of Alaska Milk. Ironkids as they are, not even a bad weather can stop them from competing. Tara and Sam Borlain, as usual, were on top of their respective game. There was even one participant who was on a competitive mode to the point of asking “Coach, what’s the time to beat?”

By midmorning, the race was already halfway and awarding has commenced as well. So, I had to toggle myself from the covered court to the poolside and back to keep abreast with the ongoing event. I chanced upon Team TriGear doing some legworks under a slight drizzle after their swim race. And yes, they were having fun. Team TriGear is one of the most represented teams in every Alaska IronKids race. 

1. IronKids at swim start; 2. IronKids at holding area; 3. IronKid enjoying the refreshing milk at the Alaska Booth; 4. Team David’s Salon Belles Pia and Gaia with their triathlete moms.

Debuting as IronKids, Pia and Gaia represented Team David’s Salon Belles in the swim race of Alaska IronKids. One thing that is noteworthy about the Alaska IronKids is that, children with special are welcome to join. No special treatments were given, except that they were allowed to have their coach by the pool side, which makes them feel like the rest of the other children. This is a good venue for them to enjoy their being children. 

As the morning closed to an end, winners in all of the age group categories have been recognised and awarded. 

Here is the list of winners:

13 to 14 Years Old
	Boys	Girls
1st Place	Drew Bennet Magbag, 05:00	River Gail Salonga, 05:26
2nd Place	John Ian Guevarra, 05:11	Jaymie Marie Ortega, 05:27
3rd Place	Julius Alfred Constantino, 05:12	Maria Margarita delos Reyes, 06:11

11 to 12 Years Old
	Boys	Girls
1st Place	Sabino Czar Manglicmot IV, 03:52	Samantha Borlain, 03:55
2nd Place	Johnmar Armocilla, 04:06	Eya Jamiel Tumbokon, 04:12
3rd Place	Marcus Faytaren, 04:11	Nicole Danielle Eijansantos, 04:14

9 to 10 Years Old
	Boys	Girls
1st Place	Sean Gabriel Cruz, 02:46	Tara Borlain, 02:53
2nd Place	Raphael Henrico Santos, 02:57	Danielle Louise Laminta, 02:59
3rd Place	Fernando Diaz, 03:09	Cecille Andrea Mole, 03:03

6 to 8 Years Old
	Boys	Girls
1st Place	Lance Rafael Cruz, 01:28	Athena Shanessa Chang, 01:28
2nd Place	Noah Labasan, 01:31	Jasmine Mojdeh, 01:34
3rd Place	Gabriel Labasan, 01:35	Jaz Villanueva, 01:36

In an interview with Noah and Gabriel Labasan, they confessed that their winning in Alaska IronKids races merits them a gadget of their choice, this time a tablet! 

Athena Chang, top winner in the 6 to 8 years old category went home with a back to back win. She also topped her age group category in the Alaska IronKids Aquathlon and Run Race on May 19 and June 1, 2013, respectively. 

For the Borlain sisters – Sam and Tara, winning in their respective age group category is not uncommon for them. They both grandslammed in three Alaska IronKids races this year. 

Congratulations to all the Winners and Finishers! You all did a great job! 

Junior triathletes from Team TriGear having a quick spin; Right Photo: At the holding area waiting for their gun start.

Catch the Alaska IronKids Triathlon happening on August 3, 2013 at Shangri – La Mactan, Cebu. For updates, please visit www.alaskamilk.com.ph and www.ironkidsphils.com. Also, please follow us on Twitter: @AlaskaSportshub

The 2012 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines

2012 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines Finisher’s Medal

It took me a long while to post my blog about the recently concluded Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines. I just posted this blog when everyone has already talked about, and raved about it. Well, they got their own stories, and I got mine.

It was drizzling that early morning of August 3, 2012 while on board a cab on my way to the Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It has been raining on and off that week due to a low pressure area.  I got off the cab as soon as it pulled over by the ramp, and proceeded to the entrance to the main lobby.

I’m flying to Cebu to cover the much anticipated triathlon event of the year – the Cobra Energy Drink 70.3 Ironman Philippines.  I boarded the plane a quarter past 5 in the morning. Despite the not so good weather, the flight pushed through as scheduled. At an altitude of 30,000 feet, Philippine Airline’s Airbus A330-300 gave everyone on that flight a very good one and half hours of flying experiencing. And the roundtrip ticket was purchased at half the price!

Arriving at the Mactan International Airport, the sun was up, the weather was great, and there was not a single trace of a rain cloud.  Not so long after I checked out of the airport, the van picked me up along with other media people, who were apparently on that same flight. Since it was way too early in the morning, only a few business centers were open. The whole entourage decided to stop by Starbucks in Mactan for breakfast, and to discuss the events and itineraries for the day.

Looking out the window, one couldn’t deny the fact that in two days’ time, a grand multisport event is happening in the heart of Queen City of the South.  Cebu is hosting the 2012  Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines. The security was tight at the event’s venue – the Shangri – La Mactan Resort and Spa. We billeted at BE Hotel and Resorts, which was about a mile from Shangri – La.

BE Hotel and Resorts housed the creations of the Hollywood famous furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, who also designed this year’s Ironman Philippines’ finisher’s medal.

Call time was normally at 4am to us time for breakfast and to shuttle us to the venue. Lunches and dinners were at various restaurants in the city like SuTuKil, Chikaan, and Dimsum Break. We’d be back at the hotel around 8 or 9 the evening. And by that time, malls are already closed. And I could only think of getting some sleep to prepare for the following day’s string of activities.

On the day we arrived in Cebu, we had the opportunity to check the race course passing through the famous Marcelo Fernan Bridge which connects Mactan Island to the rest of the Cebu. At the Ironman Expo during the race bring and press con, I came across Coach Michelle Estuar and Belinda Granger.  And who can miss out the 2011 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines Filipino Elite Champion Arland Macasieb? I took that opportunity to have the two copies of Runner’s Magazine (which I brough all the way from Manila) autographed! During our short conversation, the one thing he asked me was why is my name Supladong Runner. Well, almost everyone asked me that same question. I also had the opportunity to have my photo taken with Australia’s Hall of Famer Belinda Granger at the Expo Center.

Lounging on the Kenneth Cobonpue Creation

The following day, after the Alaska Ironkids Triathlon event, we visited the Cebu International Convention Center where 1 Cebu Expo was held. Locally made handicrafts were on sale – from accessories, delicacies to furniture.

On the event day, I woke up at 4:30 in the morning. It was pretty late. I haven’t had the chance to take my breakfast because we all need to be at the venue before they close the roads at 5am. But it was okay since the night before, our dinner was like a carboloading dinner. A short media briefing followed and some of us in the Alaska Press Corps were assigned a motorcycle rider.

The sun hasn’t risen up yet. The horizon was still dark lavender and some oranges. The sea was calm. Colorful vintas were spotted nearby. Triathletes and spectators have started to gather at the swim area. The early morning just got busy. I bumped into She Quimosing and some guys from A Runner’s Circle. I positioned myself at the bike transition area and while on my way, there’s Tessa Prieto – Valdez. Took a snap of Belinda Granger and Arland Mac with his Fil Am Tri buddies.

I knew that the race had already started when I saw one triathlete pedaling fast off the transition area.  Since I had to give live updates of the race, I proceeded to the parking area behind the Shangri – La resort for the motorcycle ride. I had to run towards the parking area to be on the lead. But the venue security people and even some of the race marshals weren’t really nice. They gave me a run around where I need to pass through. I was getting frustrated by their insensitivity, but I can’t get mad. Whew! Anger management.

I was racing with time just to get to the parking lot where the motorbike riders were stationed.  I felt like sprinting to the finish line.  As soon as I got to the parking lot, I took the back ride and we left off. We were already behind the racers so we took the short cut to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. When we got there, the police officers didn’t let us in. So, we took another detour passing through the old M. Fernan Bridge towards the tunnel. Soon I was getting calls and text messages from the Media Center for updates. I was caught off guard.

The bike course was technical. Racers had to pass through a tunnel and take the Marcelo Fernan Bridge. Both sides of the streets were filled with spectators – men, women, young and old, and students. Loud cheers emanate from groups of students as the racers pass them by.

As soon as the triathlete pros have made their third U – turn, I asked the driver to take me to the run course, driving at approximately 60 – 80kph. Perhaps a quarter of an hour or so had passed, and I was expecting to catch up with Pete Jacobs and Cameron Brown. But I didn’t see any trace of them in the bike course. Though we ran past Matt O’Halloran on his way towards to the transition area.

It was only in the run course that I was able to catch up with Pete and Cameron. The run course has a festive mood. Elementary students were lined up along the streets, chanting and cheering as the runners pass by.

When I got to the Discovery turn around point, three groups of cheer dancers perked up the area. Their dance moves and the pumped up sound system brought life to the hot and humid environment. Runners were even asking them to keep on with the grooves!

Since the run course was the last leg of the race, I was able to spot a lot of familiar triathletes. There’s Pete Jacobs and Cameron Brown who were racing shoulder to shoulder, Matt O’Halloran, Caroline ‘Xena’ Steffen, Bree Wee, Michelle Wu, Belinda Granger, Monica Torres, Alaska Team TBB’s Banjo Norte and Marc Altura, Coach Ige Lopez, Fil Am Tri’s Arland Macasieb, and a whole lot more! At 11 in the morning, more and more runners were already making their second loop to complete the 21k run course, and down to the finish line.

I proceeded to the finish line when I got back to the race venue. The activity area was jam packed with participants and spectators. Some participants were getting their much needed massage and taking a dip in the Intex pools, sharing their respective story about the race.

At around 1pm, we took our lunch. And it was a sumptuous lunch. The waiters were very courteous as they served our food. Then by 4pm, the awarding started. Special Awards such as the Century Tuna SuperBods Award was given to Drew Arellano. Arland Macasieb placed second in this special award. Banjo Norte of received the Alaska Swim Bonus for finishing the swimming out of the water first; and so was Marion Kim Mangrobang. Monica Torres received her fourth Filipino Elite Champion trophy. It’s unfortunate that Arland Mac didn’t win in this year’s elite category. He got a couple of flats in the bike leg. Nonetheless, as a true athlete, he still made every inch of an effort to finish the race.

Pete Jacobs and Caroline Steffen both topped the Pro category. Cameron Brown and Bree Wee filled the second spot, while Matt O’Halloran and Belinda Granger took the third spot. It was a back to back victory for Steffen who, earlier that week, placed first in the World Triathlon Championships.

The 2012 Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines Race Route

Having been exposed to the sport, I became a fan of these triatletes, to the point that I had my media ID and my singlet signed by them! When everything was all set, we headed back to the hotel for a much needed rest. It was then that I just realized how burnt my skin was. I was red all over! When evening came, we had our dinner in a restaurant in Park Mall. After which, we had coffee at Bo’s Coffee shop.

The event is over. No more call time. I was able to sleep well that night. It was already past 5 in the morning when I woke up. I took a bath and went down to the buffet area for breakfast.

As soon as everyone was ready, we took our things down to the lobby to head for the airport. I bumped into Coach Z at the hotel.  And I can’t afford to miss that opportunity for a photo ops with her.

It was a sunny morning when got to the airport. There was a long line of passengers waiting to be checked in. And as the saying goes, patience is a virtue. We had to wait for our turn. Good thing the airport manager prioritized all PAL passengers taking the 9am flight. So, we were able to check in our baggage ahead of the other passengers. It didn’t take much longer after we settled in our seats before the plane took off. Soon enough, we were already landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. While the sun was everywhere in Cebu, rain was all over the metro. How ironic!

Finally, I’m back home. I gathered my things, proceeded to the airport lobby and took a cab. As the rain poured, I was thinking about the three days that I spent in Cebu.  The experience and the lessons learned were all worth my time and effort. It was non – negotiable. I had fun. And had so much of it.  There were downsides to it, but they’re so trivial to think about. Yet, they still formed part of what is called ‘the experience’. I’m fortunate to have been given this opportunity to be part of a great event. I thank God for the wonderful things that He never failed to show me, and for the blessings that He provided me.

This is all about the Cobra 70.3 Ironman Philippines. And this is my story.