Young triathlete star Moira Erediano crosses the finish line at the 2019 Alaska Ironkids in Cebu. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
CEBU, Philippines—Moira Erediano put on a fitting farewell in the age group while Matthew Hermosa topped the boys’ 13-14 group in his first try in the Alaska IronKids Saturday at Shangri-La Mactan here.
Erediano, who is turning 15 later this year, ruled the girls’ division in her final race in the age group, clocking in at 39:22.01.
“I feel really happy to end IronKids with a bang and being a champion,” said Erediano.
Despite not being the fastest swimmer in her bracket, Erediano reserved her energy for the run course and became the only triathlete in her age group to break the 14-minute mark at 13:57 to pull away from the pack.
Jeanna Mariel Canete came in nearly a minute later at 40:38.71 for the silver medal while Kelly Yw Long rounded out the girls’ podium at 43:24.46.
Boys 13-14 champion Matthew Hermosa. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Hermosa, meanwhile, reigned in the boys’ bracket in his first race in the 13-14 cluster, finishing the 16.4-kilometer course at 35:08.33.
He crossed the finish line nearly 35 seconds faster than Go for Gold teammate Earol Belonguil who clocked in at 35:43.04. Eryk John Omandam placed third at 36:02.78 in the boys’ division.
Hermosa came out of the 400-meter swim course at fifth and slowly moved his way up the pack, eventually going past Belonguil in the 12-kilometer run track.
“My strategy was to pace myself and when I saw that Eryk was a little tired, then that was when I decided to push it,” said Hermosa, 13, in Filipino.