Alaska Ironkids Triathlon attracts initial 165 entries

A LITTLE more than a week to go before the Alaska Ironkids Triathlon, some 165 kids ranging from ages six to 16 years old have already signed up for the event, which will usher in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

The Alaska Ironkids Triathlon will be held on Aug. 3, at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

It will feature four age-groups with different distances.

Unlike last year’s edition, the 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 10 years old categories will now have to face the same challenges with participants conquering 100 meters of swimming, three kilometers of biking and one kilometer of running.

The 11 to 12 and the 13 to 14 years old categories, on the other hand, will have a 300m swim, 10km bike ride and 2km run combination.

The swimming will be done on the waters fronting Shangri-La, the bike ride will be held within Punta Engaño while the run will be done within the resort.

This will be the first triathlon race and the 5th race under the Alaska Ironkids race series, which will also feature a run competition and an aquathlon.

In last year’s event, some young Cebuano triathletes made their presence felt among entries coming from Manila and other parts of the country.

Highest placed then were Yuan Chiongbian, who clinched the 11 to 12 Boys title, and Syrah Ruth Uy, who ruled the 6 to 8 Girls.

Justin Chiongbian finished second in the 13 to 14 Boys, and Yasmin Priagula placed third in the 6 to 8 Girls.

Justin Chiongbian, a member of the triathlon developmental pool under the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) will be back for this year’s Ironkids Triathlon, however his younger brother Yuan has begged off for personal reasons.

Syrah Ruth Uy and Yasmin Priagula will also be back but this time will be competing under the 9 to 10 Girls category.

They will be joined by Althea Ricci Mataragnon. Other Cebuanos also training under TRAP who will see action are Ralph So, Shaia Uy, Issa Priagula, Ana Maximo and Aaliyah Ricci Mataragnon.

The Alaska Ironkids Triathlon was organized to introduce young kids early to the sport as the race is a junior version of the International Ironkids Triathlon Series. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON