Press Release
Alaska IronKids Philippines triathlon started out as a
Sunday fun run for kids but in just a short time, it quickly developed into a
national sporting event that has nurtured and developed young local
triathletes. Triathlon is composed of three disciplines: swimming, biking and
running. Now on its fourth year, the event has attracted hundreds of young
participants, all wanting to conquer the IronKids course, considered to be the
junior counterpart of the prestigious triathlon event, IronMan.
According to coach and race director Ani De
Leon-Brown, Alaska IronKids Philippines has become, in recent years, a training
ground for the country’s aspiring young triathletes. It is part of the Alaska
Sports’ Nutrition. Action. Champion. program, along with Alaska Football and
Basketball Camps and the Jr. NBA
presented by Alaska. The program hopes to encourage children to play outdoors
or get into sports and learn the values
of determination, discipline, hardwork and teamwork. “When I was in the national team for triathlon,
our main problem was the lack of depth in the talent pool. There were only a
few young boys and girls, who wanted to take up the sport seriously and take it
to the next level. But now, there are a lot of them because of events like
these. I am very proud of the program. Through the years, you could really see
the growth.”
Arno Baetz is one of those aspiring young talents. At
this year’s Alaska IronKids Philippines Triathlon leg in Mactan Shangri-La in
Cebu, Baetz dominated the 13 to 14 year-old boys category. Based in Hong Kong,
the 13-year-old flies to the country every now and then to join competitions
and to train, hoping to one day fulfill his dream of becoming an IronMan. The
Filipino-German can’t thank his parents enough for supporting his dream. “In
every race, they are there to cheer me on. Their confidence in me motivates me
even more to do better.” According to him, getting into triathlon has changed
his lifestyle a lot. “I eat healthier. I don’t sleep late. No more videogames
for me,” says Baetz.
Judging from the parents, siblings and friends who
came to support the participants in the Cebu leg, Alaska IronKids Philippines
has become a family affair. Parents could be seen waving handkerchiefs and
shouting words of encouragement. And what is great about the Alaska IronKids,
there are no losers. All finishers are given medals as long as they complete
the course.
Despite the spirit of fun, the race does honor the
hard work and commitment to excellence of young triathletes who set aside time
for training to develop their skills. Leading the pack at this year’s Alaska
IronKids are Arno Baetz and Shaia Ruth Uy, who ruled the 13 to 14 years old
category and Bambam Manglicmot and Lauren Plaza, who finished first in the
11-12 years old category. Others who
figured in the top three were Craig Uy and Nathan Nalo, Nicole Eijansantos and
Samantha Borlain, who were second and third finishers in the 11 to12 years old
boys and girls respectively. Justin Chiongbian and Brent Valelo, on the other
hand, were second and third placers in the 13 to 14 years old boys while
Alexandra Leather and Margarita Delos Reyes trailed after first placer Shaia Uy
in the 13 to 14 years old girls category.
This year, more than 200 kids signed up for the Cebu
leg. While the participants of the 13 to 14 years old and 11-12 years old
categories were able to race, the races for the two other age categories: 9 to
10 years old and 7 to 8 years old were canceled due to bad weather. For the Alaska
IronKids organizers, safety of the participants comes first.
Caroline Borlain, mother of Tara, this year’s
defending champion in the 9 to 10 years old girls category, agreed with the
decision. “We wanted Tara to race because she prepared for this and trained
hard but Tara herself said to us, ‘It’s God’s will.’ And she’s right. The money
we spent for the trip is nothing compared to the anxiety it will cost us if we
let her race in that kind of weather. The safety of the children should be top
priority.”
All is not lost, according to Borlain, because there
is still another triathlon event coming up in October. Her daughters Tara and
Samantha are already looking forward to the race.
The triathlon is slated on October 20 and will be held
at the Palms Country Club, Alabang.
Children or parents who want to know more about the clinics or register
for the triathlon race should check out the Alaska IronKids Philippines website
at www.ironkidsphil.com . For more
information, visit www.alaskamilk.com.ph
and @ALASKAsportshub on twitter.
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