Instead of a formal, staid press conference Alaska Milk launched the Alaska IronKids at the CamSur Watersports Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur with a party complete with a funny entertaining host, performers, a magic act by a magician, parlor games and plenty of food for the children to enjoy.
Alaska Vice President for Marketing Blen Fernando said they wanted a less serious, more fun tone for the Alaska IronKids because even though it is strictly a sporting competition it is still an event featuring kids which means that it should first and foremost be fun.
“Tomorrow is an important day for everyone. This is will be the race of swim, bike (and run of the Alaska IronKids). So today we will party so that everyone will have a good time and of course get to know each other better,” said Fernando.
It was not all fun and games though. After the kids’ party, Alaska IronKids Race Director Ani De Leon divided the kids into the categories they will compete in. He then walked the kids through the actual race course so that they will see the actual trail which they will have to navigate during the race proper.
De Leon said it was very important for the children to actually see the course for themselves before the start of the race.
“First of all, mga bata nga iyan. Adults pwede mo na gumamit ng Audio Visual Presentation, maps and diagrams para ipakita ang race course. Pero sa mga bata hindi uubra ang ganyan. Hindi pa nila kaya ang visualization na ganoon. To ensure their safety, it’s important that they see the actual course before the race,” said De Leon.
“Another important rule that will help ensure their safety is that we don’t allow parents to go with their kids during the race. It would seem harmless enough but the kids will have to go through the race alone. This will allow them to develop self confidence when they succeed.”
The race director explained that the safety of the participants remain her number one concern.
“We make sure that the kids are safe especially in the swim portion. Even though there are no parents allowed near, we have our marshals, watchers and others watching the children very closely. Then of course there are the ropes and buoys clearly marking where the children will be allowed to swim,” said De Leon.
The kids will be part of the massed start involving all the participants including the professional triathlon athletes and the country’s best athletes playing the sport.
Up next for the kids are the relay teams where a participant needs to perform only one of the disciplines: Swim, Bike and Run. One participant will perform the swim portion. He then hands over to the next teammate who will ride the bike and finally to another teammate who will run the remainder of the race.
This will allow the kids easy, less-challenging ways to participate and complete in the sport of triathlon.
Indeed, organizers promised to stage a bigger, better event than the immensely successful race of the last year. Launching the kids’ triathlon event with a party virtually assures that this year’s race will not only be its biggest, most exciting edition yet but probably its most fun.
Other sponsors of the Alaska Milk Ironkids are McDonald’s, Gatorade, Soleus, Prudential Guarantee, Audi, Private Iris, Summit Drinking Water and Juice.ph.
