CEBU CITY, Philippines – Some 100 plus participants of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 led by last year’s men’s champion Tim Reed of Australia and Alaska Ironkids took part in the  4th Alaska Run Out and Breakfast which ushers in the festivities for this Sunday’s (August 6) Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines on the island of Cebu.

Reed was joined by other professional triathletes in Tim Van Berkel, Sam Betten and Dimity Lee Duke, among others. The Filipino elite was represented by last year’s champion, August Benedicto, who just celebrated his birthday the other day.

Leading the Alaska Ironkids participants were the Borlain sisters, Tara and Cheska, and  members of the Omega Junior Tri Team.

From the lobby of the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, the Run Out participants run the one kilometer to the Mactan Elementary School, one of the partner schools of the Alaska Milk Corporation for its Gatas for Breakfast program.

“The Alaska Gatas for Breakfast is an advocacy tied up with the Department of Education to reach more kids especially the underprivileged via the public schools so they can know more about proper nutrition and the benefits of drinking milk for breakfast,” explained Alaska Milk Corporation activation manager Yam Maramba.

Maramba added that this year is the fourth time that the Gatas for Breakfast program is incorporated as one of the activities for the Cobra Ironman 70.3.

During the Run Out, 500 students garbed in red shirt and white cap from Grades 4 to 6 of the Mactan Elementary School welcomed the participants and joined them in the dance exercise to the tune of the Alaska Gatas for Breakfast jingle.

The participants were also treated to a short program prepared by the students on the importance of drinking milk.

Alaska Milk Corporation CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. also took time to speak in front of the students and encouraged them to drink milk for breakfast.

“Study hard and hope to see you someday in the race,” Uytengsu said.

He then joined the students and Run Out participants in the milk toast before they all drank Alaska together.

This is the third time that the Alaska Run Out and Breakfast was held at the Mactan Elementary School and once at the Punta Engaño Elementary School.

For 2017, Alaska’s Gatas for Breakfast program is partnering with 390 schools nationwide wherein Alaska will be holding activities to promote proper nutrition and give out Alaska milk to students.