Cebu Ready for Sunday’s Cobra Ironman 70.3

(PNA) — Cebu is ready for its third hosting of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines on Sunday, Aug. 3, local officials and organizers said.

“We’ve ironed out the last-minute preparations,” said lawyer Mark Tolentino, Cebu Province Administrator.

Princess Galura, Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) project director and organizer of the event, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expected to finish Saturday the repair of potholes in the almost one kilometer of the bike race route.

Some 2,500 triathletes from 40 countries are in Cebu to join the biggest triathlon in Asia.

Galura reminded the riders to observe safety at all times and to take extra precautions in the affected areas.

The organizers, local government unit (LGUs) and local coordinators are ready for the event, with some 1,000 security personnel to secure the participants and the race route.

The bike route will pass the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay and the medical team, security, marshals, volunteers, and traffic personnel are already in place.

“Every city has provided not less than 200 marshals on the route. The Centcom, PRO 7 and Coast Guard are also set,” Galura said.

“The preparation for safety this year is much better,” Galura said.

Cebu took over the hosting of the Cobra Ironman in 2012 after Camarines Sur, which hosted the race from 2009 to 2011.

The move to Cebu saw the race grow by leaps and bounds, from a mere 583 triathletes in 2009 to more than 2,500 participants this year from 40 countries.

The race consists of a 1.9 kilometer swim, a 90.1 kilometer bike race and a 21.1-kilometer run. (PNA) JBP/EB