MANILA – The Cebu delegation, led by defending men's elite champion Andrew Kim Remolino and three-time women's division holder Faith Raven Alcoseba, is heavy favorite anew in the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) in Subic, Zambales this weekend.

Remolino won the NGAT last year with a time of 56 minutes and 56 seconds, beating fellow Cebuano Matthew Justine Hermosa, who registered a personal best 56:57, and Baguio City's Dayshaun Ramos (57:31).

Alcoseba, on the other hand, clocked 1:03:55 to claim her third title after prevailing over Erika Nicole Burgos of Tanauan, Batangas (1:05:39) and Kira Ellis of Laguna (1:06:16). 

"We've trained hard. We are ready," the 23-year-old Remolino said.

"The NGAT is the first qualifying tournament to get a slot for the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games in Thailand in December, so I expect a tough challenge from other participants," the aquathlon silver medalist at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games added.

Day 1 on Saturday of the swim-bike-run event organized by the Triathlon Philipines headed by Tom Carrasco and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission features super tri boys and girls (6 and under, 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 years) and the U15 (Youth) men and women (13-15 years) categories.

Day 2 events are the elite/junior men and women; para men; sprint age group men and women (16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59) and 60 and over for men only; sprint age group men and women (18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49); 50 and over (women); 50-54, 55-59 and 60 and over (men); and standard team relay (men, women and mixed).

The race distances are 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run for sprint elite, junior elite, para and age group; 500m swim, 10km bike and 2km run for youth 13-15 ; and 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run for standard age group/team relay.

In the super tri kids, the race distances are 50m swim-1km bike-400m run (6 years and under); 100m swim-2km bike-800m run (7-8 years); 200m swim-6km bike-1km run (9-10 years); and 400m swim-8km bike-2km run (11-12 years). (PNA)