A Woman Of Many Firsts And A Woman On The Brink An Interview With Shangrila Rendon

Shangrila Rendon, 35, is an ultra triathlete and Guinness World Record Holder, known as the Fastest Female to complete the International Ultra Triathlon Association (IUTA) World Cup Quintuple race as of 2015.

- Alix Shutello

Rendon is the only Filipino (male or female) who has completed the most number of Ironman races in consecutive days. Rendon completed a total of 8 Ironmans in 8 consecutive days as part of Decaman Switzerland, 2016.

ES&F: Have you always been a triathlete, or endurance runner/cyclist? How did you get started on the path to such impressive distances?

Rendon: No, I am not one of those athletes who has always been athletically inclined or competed during high school or college. My focus then was to finish my bachelor’s degree, and eventually my master’s degree. I started running for only 15 minutes on the treadmill, and built up from there. Until 2009, I didn’t know how to swim; I was scared of water. Until I started competing seriously, I never owned a bike (or knew how to clip and unclip my shoes!).

By 2014, before I broke into ultra triathlons, my resume included one 300-mile ride, many 200-mile rides, four 50-mile races, four Ironman-distance races and over 30 marathons.

ES&F: So why did you decide to move to ultra triathlon distances?

Rendon: I decided to race ultra triathlons out of curiosity. I wanted to find out how much more I can push beyond my body’s known limitations. Besides, if my body can endure the distance, why not go for it? I am very passionate about the ultra triathlon. There’s always something to learn and improve. I love the challenge and the people in the ultra-distance community. Last but not least, I want to inspire people and to show that amazing things can happen and are possible. As living proof, I aim to move people and give them hope.