Subic Bay Freeport– The future of Philippine Triathlon showcased the fruit of their labor as they flashed their way to excellence at the IRONKIDS here in Subic.
A total of 166 kids aged six to 14 years old clashed for this year’s last IRONKID title in the event starting and ending at the beach front of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The IRONKIDS race covered various distances depending on age category from 100 to 400 meters of swimming, three to twelve kilometers of cycling and one to three kilometers of running for the young ones, who could potentially grow up competing in the 5150 and 70.3 in the future.
Winners of the age 13-14 category, Peter Sancho Del Rosario and Maria Celinda Raagas led the cast as they soared into the finish line. Del Rosario who’s representing the Get Coach’D Academy, and Raagas from Olongapo stamped their class in the boys’ and girls’ 13 to 14 category, outlasting some of the country’s top junior triathletes.
Del Rosario breezily crossed the finish line in 36:11 minutes to rule the boys’ 13 to 14, beating Darell Johnson Bada, who was the winner of the IRONKIDS 70.3 in Cebu and Carron Paulter Cañas, from Team Go for Gold who timed in at 36:33, and 37:01 respectively.
Maria Celinda Raagas, who is from Olongapo Junior Trackers Multisports on the other hand, went through the tape in 39:22 to end her IRONKIDS career with a bang. Raagas was followed by Maria Zabelle Eugenio and Princess Eanisse Ilio who finished 46:32 and 48:32 respectively.
Del Rosario and Raagas aren’t new in triathlon scene in the Philippines, having to dominate the IRONKIDS Philippines at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite last week. Giving us a wonderful performance clocking in at 34:32 over the 400m swim, 8km bike ride and 3km run setup.
The Philippine Triathlon of tomorrow is standing strong with these young triathletes reaping the benefits of their hard-earned training, they are also set to continue their rising careers with future 5150 Olympic Distance and Sprint Triathlon distances. (Dante M. Salvana)