2.6T Participants from 52 Countries to Join Cebu Ironman

(Cebu Province PIO) Due to the record-breaking number of participants for the upcoming Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines on August 2, Cebu is now considered a “crown jewel of Asia”.

Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) project director Princess Galura shared this during a media briefing to launch the event in Cebu and give updates on traffic advisory last July 15.

Ironman 70.3 is one of a series of long distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. The race consists of a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run.

The Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines is a qualifying race to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

It is an honor for Cebu to hold Ironman 70.3 for the fourth time. A total of 2, 618 participants from 52 countries have confirmed to join.

United States, Australia, France, Malaysia, Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and Philippines are some of the participating countries.

Male and female professional triathletes will be led by defending champions Brent Mcmahon and Caroline Steffen respectively.

According to Galura, this year’s edition is the biggest in record attendance so far in the history of the race. This is due to the annual Asia-Pacific Ironman conference that will also be held in Cebu during the race week.

Traffic advisory

Road closures and re-routing will be implemented on the race day in the cities of Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Cebu, and Talisay.

Vehicles bound for Lapu-Lapu City and Mactan airport are advised to take L. Jaena St. and M.C. Briones St. and U.N. Avenue or take S.B. Cabahug St. to U.N. Avenue from 4a.m. to 2p.m.

The entire Sergio Osmeña Boulevard in Cebu City will be closed from the Mahiga Bridge leading to Legaspi Extension, as well as the underpass going straight to South Road Properties (SRP) from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Vehicles bound for Mandaue City and Northern Cebu must take L. Jaena Street and M.C. Briones Street. The same route is advised for vehicles from Cebu to Mandaue City.

Road closure will also be implemented from Talisay Fish Port Cebu South Coastal Road to Cong. Bacaltos Road from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Preparations

Galura told media that they already have a contingency plan despite Department of Public Works and Highways’ undergoing repair of a portion of Plaridel St. in Mandaue City which is part of the 90-kilometer bike route.

She said the completed portion of the road is enough for Ironman bikers to pass going to SRP and back to Shangri-La.

There will be a walk-through with Philippine National Police on July 26 to check and finalize the route of the race.

Rules and regulations of the race will also be discussed with the media on July 30. CJ Matarlo (UP MassComm – Intern)

www.cebu.gov.ph