Ironkids Competition in Langkawi Draws Large Crowd
Introduction
The 2024 Ironkids competition, held in conjunction with the Ironman 70.3 and Ironman Malaysia 2024 Championships, took place in Langkawi yesterday. The event saw over 300 youngsters, aged between one and 17, participate in the community run and aquathlon, to be followed by the main event tomorrow.
The Competition
The Ironkids competition was divided into various age categories, including one to six, seven to 10, and 11 to 17, for the community run, while the aquathlon had two age categories – seven to 10 and 11 to 15. The participants had to swim for 100 meters and run for 1.8 kilometers in the aquathlon event.
Response to the Event
The competition received a tremendous response, with parents out in force to support and cheer their children on. Some parents even ran alongside their kids to encourage them. According to a survey conducted by Bernama, the participants, particularly the debutants, remained undeterred by the almost 20-minute delay due to heavy rain.
Parents’ Perspectives
Anis Hartini Haron, a 43-year-old from Shah Alam, highlighted the importance of sports in her children’s lives. Her children, aged nine and 12, were making their Ironkids debut, and she and her family came to support them. "They learned to swim when they were six," she said. "Although they are not into running, we wanted them to be active in sports as I used to be active in sports and am planning to make a comeback, hopefully in next year’s Ironman competition."
Suhaimi Ahmad, a 46-year-old from Shah Alam, accompanied his wife and their two children, aged 12 and 14, who were competing in the aquathlon for the first time. "They have been training for the past few months, spending between two and three hours per session. They are confident swimmers but not so great at the running discipline," he said.
Conclusion
The Ironkids competition in Langkawi has set the stage for an exciting event tomorrow, with young athletes eager to showcase their skills in the main competition. With the support of their parents and the enthusiasm of the crowd, this year’s Ironman 70.3 and Ironman Malaysia 2024 Championships are sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Ironkids competition?
A: The Ironkids competition is a youth event for children between the ages of one and 17, held in conjunction with the Ironman 70.3 and Ironman Malaysia 2024 Championships.
Q: What were the age categories for the community run and aquathlon?
A: The community run had three age categories – one to six, seven to 10, and 11 to 17, while the aquathlon had two age categories – seven to 10 and 11 to 15.
Q: How did the participants respond to the event?
A: Despite the almost 20-minute delay due to heavy rain, the participants remained undeterred, and the parents were out in full force to support their children.
Q: What is BERNAMA?
A: BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information, disseminated via various channels and frequencies.