Kids get spotlight ahead of Ironman 70.3

A total of 168 kids ranging from six to 14 years old will have the stage to themselves on Aug. 6 when the Ironkids event takes the lid off of triathlon weekend at Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

Varying distances for a total of four age groups have been set, with those belonging in the six to eight category to have a 100-meter swim, 2-kilometer bike and 1-km run, which will be noncompetition but will be used to break the kids in to the sport.

Trophies for the nine to 10, 11-12 and 13-14 brackets, where 31 have already signed up for, will be up for grabs, with those belonging in the final category doing a 400-m swim, an 8-km bike and 2.5-km run.

The Ironkids has served as a side event to the Ironman series for years with the event not only contributing to the growth of the sport but also ensuring the steady flow of talents.

The nine-10 division will have a 200-m swim, a 6-km bike race and a 1.5-km run, while the 11-12 is slated over 400 meters for the swim, a 6-km bike and 2-km run.

On Aug. 7, close to 2,000 entries will answer the starting gun for the Megaworld Ironman 70.3 Philippines presented by AIA Vitalit, which will take participants to an all-new course, counting several loops on a bike at the new Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway bridge.