Atleta Ako Women’s Aquathlon tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Close to 250 girls and ladies, including celebrities, clash for honors in Atleta Ako Women’s Aquathlon at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City tomorrow, starting at 7 a.m.

The standard distance of 500m swim and 6K run has attracted close to 150 participants aged 18-years-old and higher.

Among those listed in the event supported by Atleta Ako, Klean Kanteen, Certified Calm, Arena, Neutrogena, Robinsons Supermarket, Del Monte, Rexona, Comark, Merrel, Crayola, Gatorade, Peak Form Manila and David’s Salon, are PSC commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevara, ITU Women’s Committee member Ting Joson, actress Angelika dela Cruz, singer Sitti and former national triathlon champion Sandra Araullo-Gonzalez.

The event also features grandmothers and their grandchildren with the participation of 74-year-old Polly Joson who will race with her granddaughter Isabella Pascual and 70-year-old Charry Parpan who  is teamed up with daughter Lara Parpan. Among the girls listed, the youngest participants racing are 7-year-olds Carissa Parco and Daphne Maliwat.

The race, organized by BikeKing, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is supported by Nike Women, Century Tuna, Gardenia, Nestle Temptations, Unilab Active Health, WeatherPhilippines, EZ Laces, Flipbelt, Watsons and media partners SBR.ph, RaceDay, Multisport and SPIN.ph. It started as an advocacy to get women to be active through sports.

“I have been involved in sports for the last 35 years (in varying capacities), and I can honestly say sports has influenced my life for good and brought me where I am today. That’s the impact sports can have on a life,” Thomson-Guevara said.

“To spread the sport I love among women of all ages and persuasions – this is my advocacy. When I started doing triathlon, it gave me a different sense of accomplishment and purpose.  I was able to do three sports but beyond that, I got to understand that being active would improve the quality of my life and prolong it. Being active and healthy would allow me to be around for my family and the people I love longer,” said ITU Women’s Committee member Ting Joson.

Atleta Ako owner Cecil Hufana said her adventures in multi-sports inspired her to create her organization.

“We come in different curves and sizes, but this shouldn’t stop us from being able do the sports we love, both in style and in ease. Pursuing an active lifestyle doesn’t have to be intimidating if we’re wearing the proper gear.”