LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu—Young triathletes Juan Francisco “Wacky” Baniqued and Tara Borlain concluded their IronKids career with pride as they won their respective final races in the 2017 Alaska IronKids triathlon held at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa.
Baniqued finished with a time of 38:50 in the male age 13 to 14 category and Borlain dominated the female category with 41:34.
Despite the triumph of the young athlete from Biñan, he almost lost the title to Joseff Miguel Quirino who also finished with a time of 38:50. Quirino sprinted at the homestretch but a photo finish review showed Baniqued winning the race.
Baniqued admitted that the competition was getting tougher and the 2017 tournament taught him that he should not underestimate his fellow competitors.
“My goal was to lead in the swim, bike and run until the finish line because that’s what I did last year. I had a one-minute gap ahead of my competitors at the second transition and protected the gap until the finish line,” Baniqued said.
Adrian Thomas Dionisio finished third with a time of 38:58.
While Baniqued felt the challenge of the swim-bike-run event, Borlain breezed through the race course and reached the finish line with a lead of four minutes and thirteen seconds over the next IronKids finisher, Nicole Marie Del Rosario.
Borlain did not experience any trouble throughout the race but confessed that she found the bike ride challenging due to the winding the road.
Marielle Estreba finished third with a time of 45:36.
This will be the last IronKids competition for both Borlain and Baniqued who reached the age limit.
Still, it is not the end for Baniqued and Borlain since they both plan to continue participating in other triathlons.
Hyonde Keum won the boys 11 to 12 years old category with a time of 35:28. Glendwyn Giles (36:22) finished second while Matthew Justine Hermosa (36:40) finished third.
Moira Frances Erediano (34:25) won the girls 11 to 12 age group. Sophia Psalm Belican (34:32) and Jesma Marille Caneta (35:03) finished second and third.
Winners in the boys 9 to 10 years old category are Beboy Dolan (24:29), first; John Christian Pabuaya (27:21), second; and Michael Gabriel Lozada (27:22), first. Winners in the girls 9 to 10 years old category are Kira Ellis (28:16); Alexeis Gunhuan (28:41); and Franchezka Borlain (30:04).
Rafael Jopson (17:38) won the boys 9 to 10 years old. Van Wincy Pagnanawon (18:02) was second while Ryonde Keum (19:57) was third. Winners in the girls’ 6 to 8 years old are Kyle Emialle Toledano (21:18); Eleora Calle Avanzad (22:50); and Mireille Dee (25:21).