PHILLIPPINES—Ninety-six members from three congregations participated in the first-ever pcg triathlon in the Philippines on March 8 at the Clearwater Country Club in Clark, Pampanga.

Dubbed the Clearwater Tri Challenge, the half-day event brought in members from as far away as 90 miles. Participants included children as young as 6, teens, singles, couples, and seniors above age 60.

Individuals and relay teams with catchy names competed in the sprint (100-meter swim, 7-kilometer bicycle race and 3-kilometer run) and the full triathlon (300-meter swim, 15-kilometer bicycle race and 5-kilometer run).

After the race, the competitors and their families shared lunch under Clearwater’s shady, wide acacia tree canopies at the same site that serves Philadelphia Youth Camp. Preaching Elder Kirk Macdonald announced the top finishers in the various categories. Mrs. Nichole Macdonald won the women’s full triathlon with a time of 1:29:37. Gilmer Onato led the men with a time of 1:14:37. Nine-year-old Lara Macdonald took the gold in the individual sprint category. Husband-and-wife team Jake and Erian Rose Gallardo, known as the G-Force, won the full triathlon relay, while Team Estomar (Hannah Estebat, Mrs. Kristine Tongco and Cherry An Marquez) topped the sprint relay.

The challenge tested the skill, endurance and training of its competitors, and also offered an opportunity to conquer individual fears.

Participant Michael Javines had a flat tire midway through the 15-kilometer bike race that forced him to walk much of the remaining 7.5 kilometers. “[I] kind of equated it to our calling. For us, quitting should not be an option,” he said. “We have to finish the race, even if it means we either run, walk, or even crawl to the finish line if we have to.”

Member Sarah Cabusas said the event was a test of her endurance in the water. “I almost gave up because I thought I couldn’t make it,” she said. “It was good. The perseverance to finish at the end of the line helped me to push forward and make it.”

Maribel Marquez and Patria Cruz, both widows nearing their senior years, participated in the triathlon. Marquez overcame a fear of the water and jumped in and completed the 100-meter swim. “It was a real challenge to conquer my fears in the water,” Marquez said. “Facing up to the challenge with the brethren encouraging and cheering you on makes you more determined to just do it and not quit.”

Retiree Reynaldo Padua overcame both the heat and the 3-kilometer distance amidst the cheers of members watching him. “This is my first race after 30 years …” Padua said. “No pain, no gain.”

The next Clearwater Tri Challenge is scheduled for August.