SuperTriKids triathlon set March 1 in Mactan

FOR the first time in the history of triathlon in Cebu, a SuperTriKids will be held on March 31 to usher in the Speedo/Plantation Bay 2012 National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) Series on April 1 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

The event is a triathlon competition for kids ages 7 to 15.

Prior to the SuperTriKids, a two-day clinic will be held to be handled by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP).

Organizer Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez said that they decided to hold the SuperTriKids because last year, they noticed that many of those who competed in the NAGT had brought their kids with them.

“The father is competing, the mother is competing, so we thought why not hold a competition for the kids so their stay here (Plantation Bay) will also be worth it,” Rodriguez said.

For a registration fee of P1,000, each kid will get a chance to join the clinic, which will be handled by certified TRAP coaches, for free. The fee is inclusive of a souvenir t-shirt and a swim cap.

On the first day of the clinic on March 29, the kids will separately undergo swimming, biking and running training.

On the second day, they will be taught how to transition from swimming to biking to running then they will be made to sit down and listen to the nutrition orientation wherein they will be taught what to eat before, during and after the race. The day will end with a technical briefing.

The third day will be the race day with categories such as Under 7, 7-8 years old, 9-10, 11-12 and 13 to 15. The distance will differ per category.

The SuperTriKids will also serve as one of the activities that will usher in the Cobra Ironman this August also on Mactan Island.

According to Rodriguez, the triathlon kids camp will further boost triathlon in Cebu especially that the sport is experiencing a surge in interest.

Also helping in the triathlon training camp are Raffy Osumo of Runnr and Joel Baring of the Sports and Fitness Enthusiast.  /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON