ABU DHABI — More than 90 youngsters from across the UAE turned out for the debut Abu Dhabi Kids Duathlon Friday, looking to follow in the footsteps of the world's best who take on the flagship Abu Dhabi International Triathlon Saturday. Racing part of the same course as Ironmen, Olympic stars and world champions, the 93 kids — split between two age groups, 9-12yrs and 13-16yrs — put in a spirited performance, ensuring the has a budding future in the region. The top boys and girls in the main 13-16 yrs race – which included a 300m swim and 2.5km run – were Germany's Thomas Stamer, 16, from Dubai American Academy and Lebanon's Andrea Kasparian, 16, from American Community School Abu Dhabi, who finished in a time of 16m45s and 18m55s respectively. In the action packed 9-12 category, which saw the biggest sign up of 77 finishers, it was Canada's Trinity Zdunich who took the top girls spot, and Great Britain's Rayhaan Guerni in the boys. The Kids Duathlon was introduced by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which is also behind Saturday's flagship US$230,000 event, to provide an entry pathway for the region's budding triathletes and encourage healthy living. A record-breaking 2,050 athletes from 76 countries will take their marks for the biggest Abu Dhabi International Triathlon on Saturday, as world elites and first timers go shoulder-to-shoulder for a shot at one of the sport's richest prizes. – SG
