PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The IronKids and Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa were successfully held in the city on November 11 and 12.
A total of 125 children aged 6 to 15 showcased their athleticism ahead of the elite pack of international triathletes in the Ironkids Philippines.
The race was divided into categories 6-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old and 13-15 years old. The children who finished the race received a finisher medal.
Baguio boy Euan Arrow Ramos, 13, showcased his triathlon skills as he recorded the fastest time in the aquathlon event of IronKids. Ramos was also the first finisher in both the Davao and Subic legs. Ramos will be racing next week in the Asian Youth Championships in Hong Kong.
“We are preparing him as early as now, and we want to expose him to different training camps and races,” said Ramos’s father, Jet.
Meanwhile, over 39 countries consisting of more than 600 players have joined the Ironman 70.3, dubbed the “Asia TriClub Championship.”
The race started by swimming in Puerto Princesa Bay with a distance of 1.9 kilometers, followed by a bicycle ride from Baywalk to Iwahig and back to the Puerto Princesa Sports Complex with a distance of 90 kilometers, and a run from the Sports Complex to Malvar Street and back to the Sports Complex for the finish line with a total distance of 21 kilometers. Some of the countries that joined are America, China, Japan, The Netherlands, and others.
At the end of the race, TRI SND Barracuda was crowned the overall Champion of Ironman 70.3. They received a P500K cash prize and a trophy from the city government.
Leyann Ramo emerged as the top female racer with a time of 5:02:56, and Satar Salem was the top male racer with a time of 4:22:25. Junyo Cao of China finished second, and Erik Van Der Linden of The Netherlands came in third.
“That was an awesome race! Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa, you were epic! The swim was great, the bike was spectacular, and the run was fantastic because everyone was supporting everyone,” said Reujen Lista, a triathlete finisher.
“Swim-water quality was better than last year; bike and run—not as hot last year; local cheerers; and the support was also better. The city of Puerto Princesa was more prepared this time,” said Denden Walde Abuan, also a triathlete finisher.
Ironman 70.3 and IronKids are part of the celebration of the Subaraw Biodiversity Festival 2023, which the city government wants to make an international event.
The city government also wants to recognize Puerto Princesa as the sports capital of the country. (GATS/PIA MIMAROPA)
Photos courtesy of City Information Office of Puerto Princesa
