Pho3nix Kids Philippines returns for a fourth season of record growth

Pho3nix Kids Philippines is back for its fourth season, kicking off on February 28 with the first of five races.

The season opener marked a return to Subic Bay, where young athletes once again took on swim legs held in open water, adding a distinctive element to what is already one of the most varied youth multisport events in the nation.

Building on a 2025 that saw Pho3nix Kids Philippines reach its highest participation numbers since launching in 2023, the nation’s largest children’s multisport series continues to grow in reach and ambition, driven by the long-running partnership between the Pho3nix Foundation and local partner GoRace PH.

Central to Pho3nix Kids’ growth is its commitment to inclusivity. The expanding roster of event categories means there is a place for every child. Young athletes can compete in triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, or a fun run, ensuring that no child is left out due to what sport they play, what level of ability they’re at or what gear they own.

Much of the program’s recent momentum has come from its youngest participants. The addition of a 5–7 year old category has opened the door to a new generation of athletes, while the introduction of aquathlon alongside other multisport categories has brought a wave of new entrants through partnerships with swim clubs and coaches across the Philippines.

Participation growth has gone hand-in-hand with developments in how events are delivered. By restructuring gunstarts so that age groups begin simultaneously across formats, the team compressed the event schedule, improving the overall participant experience while creating a more vibrant atmosphere. This streamlining has also made it possible to introduce additional multisport formats, and the approach has since been adopted across other events organized by GoRace PH.

Against a broader backdrop of declining adult participation in triathlon in the Philippines and interest shifting toward mass participation running and hybrid athletics, Pho3nix Kids’ growth bucks the trend. By meeting young athletes where they are and offering multiple pathways into multisport, the program is laying the groundwork for the next generation of Filipino multisport athletes and planting seeds that will take root for years to come.

Pho3nix Kids Philippines leads growth in the Asia region for the global Pho3nix Kids series backed by Olympic medalists Nicola Spirig, Alistair Brownlee and Jonathan Brownlee, and four-time world champion Chris McCormack — all united by a simple but powerful belief that every child deserves the chance to discover what sport can do for them.