Arno Baetz Successfully Defends Alaska IronKids Title
By Jamil Buergo
MACTAN — Fourteen year old Fil-German Arno Baetz ruled the 13-14 year-old category of the Alaska Ironkids Triathlon last August 2 at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. Just like last year, Hong Kong based Baetz showed his might in the run leg as he pulled away from nearest rivals to finish the race with 31:38.8. Cebuano Yuan Chiongbian and Brent Valelo wound up second and third in 32:13 and 32:42. Over at the Women’s side, Nicole Danielle Eijansantos topped the 13-14 year-old category with a time of 34:47. Lauren Justine Plaza placed second with 35:53.7 while Cebu’s Aaliyah Mataragnon completed the top three with 36:25.
In the 11-12 year-old category, siblings Samantha and Tara Borlain were the highlight of the event. Sisters finished 1 and 2, timing in at 35:01 and 36:42 respectively. Hugging each other at the end of the race, Samantha beat two-time champion and younger sister for the first time. “It’s part of life. In a race, you win some and you lose some. I’m comforted and proud that she (Samantha) won,” said an emotional Tara after the race. Talking to reporters after the race, Samantha bared that she had mixed feelings. Part of her wanted to celebrate but she also felt sad for Tara so she waited for her at the finish line and gave her crying sister a hug.
Other category winners were Juan Miguel Tayag (6-8 years boys), Justicia Marierl Tan (6-8 girls), Hyonde Keum (9-10 boys), Syrah Ruth Uy (9-10 girls), Noah Vernon (Play Category-Short distance boys), Celine Maniquis (Play Category-Short distance girls), Jose Atienza (Play Category-Long distance boys) and Andrea Faith Santos (Play Category-Long distance girls).
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