DAVAO CITY—Radka Kahlefeldt luxuriated in an ice cold bath to relax her tired body which went through a 1.9-kilometer swim through open water, a 90-kilometer bike ride which traversed three cities and one municipality and a 20.1-kilometer run through the Davao City commercial district.
She had just crossed the finish line ahead of an international field of the best triathletes in the world to rule the women’s division of the 2018 Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 Davao held at the Azuela Cove a few minutes earlier.
Kahlefeldt delivered a baby just a few short weeks prior to the race smashing all preconceptions about pregnancy, childbirth and the resolve of an empowered woman.
Kahlefeldt was smiling broadly while cooling down. She put down her cellphone after making a call to check on her baby and then faced the media for interviews.
“I actually gave birth a few weeks ago. I was not able to train very long. You could train early for the swim and the bike but I had to be careful training for the run after childbirth,” she said.
Kahlefeldt broke barriers for women with her victory and will help overcome many wrong impressions about women and giving birth. If they plan their physical activity well women can be just as strong if not stronger even after giving birth.
“Women can be very powerful. But we have to be very careful about training. I feel great. I just love racing. So I signed up for this race. I was motivated to join this race so that I could get back into competition. It worked out quite well,” she said.
Davao City rolled out the red carpet as it welcomed local and foreign guests and participants to the Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 Davao, the first world-class triathlon in Mindanao.
The city government highlighted the diverse but rich culture of the 11 tribes in the city during the hosting of the event as the “Durian Capital of the Philippines” and home of the majestic Philippine Eagle became the home of the biggest sports spectacle in Mindanao this year.
Participants experienced racing through Davao’s fusion of nature and urban infrastructure. The other neighboring cities and municipalities of Panabo City, Tagum City and Carmen were likewise showcased.
Kahlefeldt also expressed her admiration and respect at how organizers were able to put up an excellent race in Mindanao.
“I am impressed with how Sunrise Events put up an amazing race. This was their first year in Davao but it was still organized so well. I am terribly happy. I couldn’t ask for a better race,” she said.
Kahlefeldt revealed that the support of the crowd, who cheered her on during the race, played a big part in her performing so well despite the sweltering heat.
Hundreds lined the shore while the participants started the race with the open water swim. Thousands more lined the entire route of the bicycle ride through three municipalities and the run through the commercial district of Davao to cheer the participants.
“I felt like I was in the Olympics because of how well it was organized. I felt like dying in the run because of the heat but I had to go on because of the cheering of the people. They really motivated me,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Mendez of Mexico posted a come-from-behind win in the men’s competition. Mendez is world champion in XTERRA, a series of triathlon races which include swimming, mountain biking, and trail running. He says he is happy to be able to compete in both regular and cross country triathlon.