For IronKids, triathlon is serious business

Wacky Baniqued (right) outsprints Clifford Pusing in the last 50 meters of the 3.2K run en route to capturing the Alaska IronKids boys’ 13-14 crown in Subic on Sunday. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Completing a triathlon race is not for the faint-hearted.

It is no kid’s play either as it takes months of training before a triathlete plunges into the swim-bike-run event.

For Alaska Milk Corporation president and seasoned triathlete Wilfred Uytengsu, seeing children as young as 6 years old compete in the grueling Alaska IronKids is both fun and fulfilling.

“Kids of today are used to staying indoors, watching television or playing video games, so the IronKids is a way to lure them out of a sedentary lifestyle,” said Uytengsu, whose Sunrise Events, Inc. organizes IronKids Philippines.

Uytengsu said every parent should be a child triathlete’s No. 1 fan.

“Balancing three sports is daunting so lead your child’s own cheering squad even before race day,” Uytengsu said.