STRONG waves led organizers to cancel the swimming stage of the 34th Kadayawan Sports Festival Triathlon 2019 but newbie two-year-old Petros "Spiky" Arenas did not mind at all as he reached the finish line smiling, amid cheers from the crowd.
Spiky, who raced the 150-meter run, 1.5-kilometer bike and 300m run event at the Villa Josefina Resort Village in Toril over the weekend, checked in at 28 minutes and 53 seconds to place third in the male six years old and below division.
He also received the youngest participant award in the event that was relegated to a duathlon. With consultations from the Philipine Coast Guard, organizers deemed it necessary to scrap the swimming leg.
His father Peter, in a text interview with SunStar Davao Monday, August 05, 2019, said Spiky only trained in biking and running for one month.
"First time nya pong sumali. Two years and seven months sya nung Saturday. Sama-sama lang po namin sya sa training namin," the proud father, a triathlete himself, said. Spiky's sister Pepper also plays the sport.
He, however, added that he would have his toddler continue biking as it is what he loves doing.
Race organizer Stax Savellano of Tri Right Mindanao, in a Facebook interview, said only Tri Rigt offers a six-below category.
He said, "Most races were from six up like the Ironkids. I will not let him race I had not seen him do the bike, run and swim in practice. It's originally a 4-6 age group."
General Santos City and Trigenerals won three titles each.
Heurex Almero (male 10-12), Aliyah Gregorio (female 13-15), and Naomi Nolasco (sprint female 16-24) topped their respective events while
Trigenerals leaned on Gelyn Ninofranco (Olympic overall female), Geoffrey Dionisio (Olympic male 35-39) and Doneelyn Pe (sprint female 35-44).
Winners received prizes from the city government of Davao through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office.
The rest of the champions: Team PFD (Olympic all male relay), Kotspat Momshies (Olympic All Female Relay), Marsian (Olympic mixed relay), Zairah Pade of Go Happy Sister (six-under), Andrew Dugaduga (male six-under), Princess Espos of Tri Right (female 7-9),
Joseph Pastoriza (male 7-9), Layla Todd (female 10-12), Eryk John Omandam (Go4Less), Sheryl Sevilles of Trivengers (novice adults female), Jaypee Gaid (novice adults male), Eleazar Gumeal of Davao Metro Shuttle (Olympic overall male), Martin Vicada of Triactive (Olympic male 18-24), Jefferson Tabacon of DMS (Olympic male 25-29), Nicholas Michalski of Tri Right (Olympic male 30-34), Reyjun Vibas of Triad (Olympic male 40-44), Ronald Galendez of Camiguin (Olympic male 45-49), Felix Motilla of LGU Mati City (Olympic male 55-59), Ralph Pasuon of South Cotabato (sprint overall male), Pia Suarez of Triad (sprint overall female), Jose Manuel Arao of Trikids Davao (sprint male 16-24), Leyzander Rosell of DMS (sprint male 25-34), Rey Sarona of Filipino Homes (sprint male 35-44) and Jake Reyes of PNP 12 (sprint male 45-54).