SUBIC – Fancied Juan Francisco Baniqued and Tara Borlain played true to form and led the march of winners in the Alaska Ironkids Philippines Aquathlon race which drew a record field of 281 here yesterday.
Baniqued, who swept the titles in the series last year as a campaigner in the boys’ 11-12 age bracket, extended his dominance in the 13-14 class as he submitted a winning 19:22 time in the race that started at the Wow Pool and ended at Remy Field.
Borlain, another 11-12 standout now competing in the 13-14 category, held off elder sister Samantha for the crown.
Tara, 13, clocked in 19:45 while Samantha, 14, reached the finish line seven seconds later for the silver. Everly Janarie Macalalad took the bronze in 20:50.
The siblings’ younger sister Franchezka took runner-up honors in the girls’ 6-8, completing a podium finish for the family. Franchezka, 8, clocked 7:44, finishing behind eventual champion Liloan, Cebu’s Eurielle Kenzie Galo, who clocked 7:40.