They may not have the rippling muscles of their adult counterparts, but Bermuda's Ironkids are no less dedicated or determined to push themselves to the limit and achieve their personal best.

This Saturday as many as 200 youngsters aged 11-14 are expected to descend on the United States Naval Air Station at St. David's to pursue new personal goals -- and a host of coveted awards.

Cheering them on will be Ironkids Triathlon organisers Mr. Greg Hopkins and Mr. Steven Petty, plus course officials, parents, siblings and friends.

Just like the adults, the budding triathletes will have to compete in all sections of the title event: swimming, cycling and running.

There will be no winners and losers in terms of finish lines. Those who eventually take home the prizes will be determined by a computer which tots up finishing times.

"We operate on the principle that everybody is a winner. That's the whole idea of the event,'' Mr. Hopkins said. "We present prizes to the first three boys and girls in each age group, and there are 48 prizes altogether.'' The Ironkids Triathlon concept originated in the United States and was first organised locally four years ago by Mr. Tony Ryan, then Bermuda's top triathlete and a member of the Bermuda Triathlon Association.

Then, as now, the purpose was to give the Island's children something positive and healthy to do in a setting where they could meet and interact with their peers.

Each year, the number of participants has increased steadily, and Mr. Hopkins -- Bermuda's top triathlete -- is looking for the biggest turn-out ever on Saturday.

"Kids look forward to it and talk about it all year, plus they get to see themselves on TV,'' he said.

Competitors are divided into two age groups -- seven to ten, and 11 to 14 -- and asked to swim 100 metres, cycle two and a half miles and run half a mile or 200 metres, five miles and one mile, respectively.

Unlike adult triathletes, who must train extensively, the youngsters simply cash in on their naturally fit and supple bodies honed, of course, by the benefits of athletic activities at school and home.

"In any case, we don't worry about personal bests,'' Mr. Hopkins said.

The Ironkids are dispatched at five-second intervals within their age groups, and there are plenty of race officials to watch over them.

"We don't force anyone to complete the full distance at anything,'' Mr.

Hopkins said. "For example, if a child finds he cannot swim the distance or becomes tired he won't be disqualified, and he will also be handed from steward to steward in the water should he be unable to reach the shore himself.'' Like all sporting events, the Ironkids Triathlon has its veterans -- such as eleven-year-old Allison Petty, daughter of race organiser Steven. This year the Bermuda High School student will be facing her biggest challenge yet.

"I've gone up a category, so I will be doing double the previous distances,'' she explained.

And did that worry her? "No, I just want to beat my last times. I enjoy it, and I like a challenge,'' she assured.

For 14-year-old Tamika Williams, a student at Warwick Academy, her reason for entering again this year is simple: "I am very competitive and I just want to win. I think my chances are pretty good.'' Brothers Jelani (12) and Delmari Scott (9) will once more be pursuing prizes in a bid to make their cycling enthusiast father, Donald, proud.

"It's my third time,'' Delmari said. "Originally, I heard about it on TV and it looked exciting.'' Indeed, excitement reaches fever pitch at this event, it seems, and Mr.

Hopkins' biggest problem is, believe it or not, with the grown-ups.

"The hardest thing is controlling the parents,'' he admitted. "The kids are fantastic. All parents love their kids. We don't let them have any contact with them once the gun goes off, but it is very difficult to keep them away.

You end up with the kids running and the parents running after them, but we're training them -- slowly! "There's a tremendous atmosphere. You've got to be there to see the kids -- particularly when the seven-year-olds come in. It's really worth it!'' Apart from the sheer joy of competing, the youngsters find the lure of a trip to McDonald's afterwards irresistible -- after all, they've got to build those muscles somehow.

Saturday's event begins at 9.30 a.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m., and because it takes place at the US Naval Air Station, Mr. Hopkins warned that everyone -- competitors and spectators alike -- must be there by 8.30 a.m.

"Once the event has started they don't allow anybody on the Base,'' he cautioned.

ACTION PACKED -- Ironkids triathletes (from left) Tamika Williams, Allison Petty, Delmari and Jelani Scott prepare for Saturday's big meet at the United States Naval Air Station, St. David's. They will be among an expected 200 youngsters lining up for the three-part competition.

STRENGTH TEST -- Veterans of previous triathlons (from left) Allison Petty, Delmari and Jelani Scott, and Tamika Williams show off their lifting power.

They are aiming to improve previous personal bests.