Young bets take spotlight as Ironkids unfolds

IronKids participants get their racing kits at registration booth. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The future of local triathlon takes the stage ahead of the elite pack of international triathletes as the young bets dispute top honors in the IronKids Philippines that fires off Saturday at Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Four titles are up for grabs among 125 kids aged 6-15 in the juniors swim and run event, which ushers in the centerpiece Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa on Sunday.

The 6-8 years title will be contested over the 100-meter swim and 1-kilometer run distance, the 9-10 crown over 150m swim and 1.5km run, the 11-12 over 200m swim and 1.5km run while the 13-15 trophy will be disputed over 250m swim and 2km run.

There also relay trophies at stake, including the mixed team for 11-15 years old over 200m swim and 1.5km run race and the mixed team for 6-10 over 100m swim and 1km run.

The swim start for the 13-15 age group fires off at 6 am, while those in the 11-12 age group and the relay 11-15 category are set at 6:20 am. Those in the 9-10 and 6-8, along with relay 6-10) classes will start at 6:40 am and 7 am, respectively.

The Princesa Run, a 5K fun run event, kicked off the Ironman 70.3 weekend on Friday.

John Alcala. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Meanwhile, John Alcala is coming into his defense of the Ironman 70.3 crown in high spirits after his surprise win at the inaugural event last year.

The Dipolog City is facing a competitive field in the premier 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1k run race that includes a slew of foreign bidders from 38 other countries

“I am strategizing regarding my game plans on race day since there are quite a few strong foreigners participating. Mas marami tayong babantayan at hahabulin,” said the spearhead of Team Tri SND Barracuda. –Celest Flores-Colina