Alaska IronKids kick-off event

It’s a little before noon on a Sunday. I just got home from the Alaska IronKids kick-off event at the Manila Polo Club. It was a great event driven with a great purpose. I met a lot of cool people and saw a lot of future triathletes. My bones, however, ache. My legs hurt. Most of all, my pride is bruised.

I was primarily there to emcee the event. So I met the ungodly 5am call time.

I had one objective in mind. My task was to host the proceedings for the 3K run for 13-14 year old kids, 2K run for 11-12 year old kids, 1.5K run for 9-10 year old kids and 1K run for 6-8 year old kids. If anyone thinks a fun run among adults is chaotic, they should try organizing a fun run for kids. Princess Galura and Bebang Ogsimer, however, knew the magic formula for keeping things in order. It’s not about managing running tots. It’s about telling nervous parents where to go and what to do.

IronKids founder and Alaska President and CEO Wilfred Uytengsu was already there even before the first runner arrived. This event is his special project. I politely shook Fred’s hand. He told me to have fun hosting the event. I wisely refrained from bringing up his team’s predicament in the PBA Finals (Alaska trails 0-2 in the PBA Finals). After all, he brimmed with excitement. The IronKids Philippines series is an opportunity to encourage kids to join marathons at first and hopefully triathlons, a sport Uytengsu is passionate about, when they get a little older.

After being master of ceremonies for the 3K, 2K and 1.5K runs, I dropped the microphone and laced up my running shoes. I refused to be a bystander no more. I wanted to show these kids how the pros do it. So I got my blue racing bib, registered as a late entry for the 1K and joined the crowd of 6-8 year old kids huddled around race director Coach Rio.

At first organizers were iffy about my participation. Some of them felt I was too young. Ultimately, Mr. Uytengsu, who felt my failure would no doubt boost the confidence of future triathletes, allowed my inclusion in the 1K. I was lucky. Eric Reyes, who stands 6′4″ and found it impossible to hide among 3-footers, desperately wanted to join the race. Eric had to be dragged by 10 marshals back into the grandstand.

Coach Rio fired the bullhorn at 8:15am. We were off. I jostled against a sea of running toddlers. It felt like a race for free ice cream at the cafeteria. I pushed. I bumped. I elbowed. It was every mini-person for himself/herself. I mustered every ounce of experience to join the lead pack. I felt good. I was swifter than the breeze. I was faster than light. The finish line was in sight. I could see Coach Rio’s fiery ‘fro. So I made my final push. Believe me, Usain Bolt couldn’t have sprinted any faster. I crossed the finish line cutting the tape in half and blasting the insoles of my sneakers in the process.

I finished 4th. In the 1K run. For 6-8 year old kids. Girls category. Actually, I finished tied for 4th with some feisty 6-year old super-girl from Brent. My lawyers are working hard to break the deadlock.

I am obviously dissatisfied with the result. Fortunately, there are 5 more IronKids events to join this year. The next one happens in a couple of months. I suggest you prepare your kids for the next one. I know I’ll be training for it the way Rocky trained for Ivan Drago. I vow to finish 3rd in the blue-bib 1K division this time. My lawyers guarantee it. MH

IronKids Philippines First Leg Winners 2/28/10 Manila Polo Club

3K Boys

• 1st Marc Alexander Altura
• 2nd Gabrielle Allen Santiago
• 3rd Javier Ocampo

3K Girls

• 1st Natasha Consuel Zobel de Ayala
• 2nd Aina Farid
• 3rd Denise Faith Garcia

2K Boys

• 1st Akira Michico Sam
• 2nd Jose Julian Dayrit
• 3rd Kurt Thomas Garcia

2K Girls

• 1st Magali Echauz
• 2nd Andrea Marie Santos
• 3rd Aisya Farid

1.5K Boys

• 1st Ryan Santos
• 2nd Adam Christophe Bambroffe
• 3rd Virgilio Dulnuan, Jr.

1.5K Girls

• 1st Jasmine Have
• 2nd Silvia Belen Zobel de Ayala
• 3rd Alicia Preysler

1K Boys

• 1st Reed Santos
• 2nd Sijbren Kramer
• 3rd Diego Ramon Dayrit

1K Girls

• 1st Maria Gianina Manuel
• 2nd Sophia Carmody
• 3rd Tara Borlain