LAPU LAPU CITY, Philippines – Tara Borlain seeks to sustain her hot streak in the Alaska IronKids series today as she joins a record 174 competitors in answering the starting gun in the Alaska IronKids Triathlon II here.
Borlain, who stamped her class in the previous Triathlon I and Aquatlon I and II races in the girls’ 11-12 bracket for 2015, aims to make it four straight in the Alaska Milk-sponsored swim-bike-run competition featuring youngsters from ages six to 14.
“I’ll do my best while trying to enjoy the race,” said Borlain, 12.
Coming in with the same objective is Jose Francisco Baniqued, now eyeing the 13-14 crown after winning the 11-12 plum in Mactan last year.
Tara’s sis Samantha, who ruled the 11-12 competition in 2014, vies in the 13-14 category, where Nicole Eijensantos is determined to retain the title.
Aside from the competitive individual and relay races in four age groups, the 2015 Alaska IronKids features a new offering – the Play Category.
To be played in both short and long distances, the Play Category is designed to promote outdoor play and increase participation for non-competitive participants, according to organizer Sunrise Events, Inc.
The IronKids participants geared up for the race by joining yesterday’s “Alaska Run-Out” practice run with pros from Shangri-La Mactan to Punta Engaño Elementary School and back.
With them were pros Brent McMahon, Craig Alexander, Tim Reed, Sam Betten, Tim Van Berkel, Clayton Fettell, Justin and Belinda Granger, Dimity-Lee Duke, Pete Jacobs with wife Jamie, Luke McKenzie and Beth Gerdes with their baby Wynne, and Caroline Steffen, together with Ironman Asia-Pacific CEO Geoff Meyer, hosts Pete Murray and Whit Raymond, SEI president Fred Uytengsu and Alaska Tri Aspire Team’s coach Matt O’Halloran, Banjo Norte, and Noemi Gallegos.
At the school, the IronKids partook in the “Alaska Gatas for Breakfast” activity and shared a nutritious breakfast with 1,600 students.
The activity, according to Uytengsu, is one of many efforts of Alaska Milk in response to the latest national study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that two out of 10 children are overweight while three out of 10 are undernourished.
“This can be alleviated by getting children to continue the habit of drinking milk daily and encouraging them to have a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Uytengsu.