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Friday, March 29, 2024

New blood keeps Alaska Ironkids vital

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THE only constant in life is change. This is never more true than the Alaska Ironkids Triathlon with children six to 14 year old competing.

Despite the regular graduation of participants who reach the age limit Alaska Ironkids continues to grow and remains vital with the influx of new blood as younger participants join every year.

Thirteen year olds Juan Francisco Baniqued and Tara Borlain won their respective categories for boys and for girls who are 13 to 14 years old in the duathlon held last weekend in Subic.

Three hundred boys and girls—coming from as far north as Cagayan and Isabela and from as far south as Mindanao—joined the Subic duathlon. The next and final competition for the Ironkids this year will be in the Cebu triathlon in August.

Participants emerge from the WOW pool after the 400-meter swim. They will go on to complete the four-kilometer run part of the Subic duathlon.

The Subic race commenced with a 400-meter swim at the Olympic size, 50-meter WOW Pool behind Remy Field and concluded with the four-kilometer run along the roads of the former US Naval base in Subic.

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Second placers are past category winners 14-year-olds Samantha Borlain and Joshua Alexander Ramos who are both competing for the last time this year. Borlain and Ramos won this category last year. Borlain goes on to become a varsity swimmer for De La Salle Zobel. Luigi Miguel Crisostomo and Everly Janarie Macalalad took third place in their categories.

Alaska Ironkids encourages children to drop their video game consoles, cellphones, stop watching TV inside their living rooms and invites them to swim, bike and run outdoors to play instead.

Among the youngest newcomers are four-year-old Carlene Anika Savet and five-year-old Rafa Kanapi who joined the short distance category. This non-competitive category is precisely meant to attract new participants to the sport.

More than just a race, Alaska Ironkids is a venue for families to bond in a shared activity, giving the parents a chance to show their children that being physically fit and healthy is more fun. It also fosters the importance of starting the day right with a combination of exercise and proper nutrition.

Boys and girls, as young as four and five years old, prepare to take a dip in the pool at the start of the Subic duathlon.

Clifford Pusing—who lives in Olongapo—felt right at home and won the 11-12 boys category. Joco Miguel Delizo and Zedrick James Borja placed second and third.

Gene Heart Quiambao—who was named in loving memory of her late uncle Gener—won the 11-12 girls category. Quiambao and her family travelled all the way from Malaybalay, Bukidnon to compete. Erin Chantal Aquino and Marielle Estreba placed second and third.

Michael Gabriel Lozada ruled the 9-10 boys category. Rayne Japhet Salis of Iba, Zambales was second. Jose Maria Tayag of Angeles City was third. Aubrey Tom was first among girls 9-10. Jeanna Mariel Canete and Anya Karina Austriaco were second and third.

Daniel Louw was the best among boys 6-8. Quintin Zee Sabalande came from Cebu to place second. Gabriel Ethan Gaw was third.

Zurielle Kenzie Galo was first among girls 6-8. The youngest Borlain sibling, Samantha was second. Juliana Marie Pilar was third.

The Alaska Ironkids Duathlon in Subic included a Race Category (with Podium Medals) in four age groups for boys and girls; and a Play Category (finisher’s medal but no age categories) of short distance to promote outdoor play and increase participation for non-competitive participants.

Following the Subic duathlon the final Alaska Ironkids competition this year will be held in Cebu. This will be in conjunction with the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific championships to be held August. Category winners of the Subic Duathlon—from six to 14 years old—are seeded automatically to the Cebu triathlon.

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