CEBU, Philippines - The world’s best and the country’s finest triathletes are in town as the 4th edition of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines invades Cebu tomorrow in a race of endurance that will start and end at the beach front of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa.
No less than back-to-back men’s champion Pete Jacobs of Australia, who is representing Alaska Milk, and reigning women’s champion Belinda Granger also from Down Under are out to defend their crowns against a bigger and tougher field in this one-day race spectacle that just made a big jump from Camarines Sur to this island province.
Alaska Milk Corp. president and CEO Fred Uytengsu, through Sunrise Events, Inc. that has organized this annual event for the last three years now, said he has long wanted Cebu to host this event.
“I was really from Cebu and when I left my heart stayed in Cebu. So, it’s but natural that we bring the Cobra Ironman 70.3 here,” said Uytengsu in yesterday’s press conference at the Shangri-La Expo tent.
Uytengsu was joined in the media briefing by host Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Daryl Herbert of the Ironman 70.3 brand owner World Triathlon Corp., Cobra Energy Drink Brand Manager Jay Mendoza and Shangri-La’s Reto Klauser.
Also present was Cebu-based Kenneth Cobonpue, a world-famous furniture designer with popular clients like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Cobonpue designed a unique medal that will be up for grabs for eventual Ironmen 70.3 winners.
“I want to showcase the Cebuano creativity to the world. I may not be racing, but I am the first person to have it. By completing this medal, I have finished the race,” Cobonpue said.
Formula One star Jenson Button will be an added attraction as he will join the Ironman 70.3 along with girlfriend, Japanese fashion and lingerie model Jessica Michibata, who will compete in the relays alongside Cebuano tennis legend and newspaper columnist John Pages.
Button has quietly flew to the country as early as last Wednesday, bringing with him a long list of Formula triumphs including the 2009 Formula One World Champion for McLaren.
All eyes though are on Jacobs, who won it n 2010 and 2011, and Granger, the 2011 winner, are the favorites to repeat.
“It will come down to the run as my lethal weapon hopefully again,” said the 30-year-old Jacobs, whose other notable victories came in the 2012 Huskisson Long Course Race and 2011 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
“I’ve always want to win here because I consider this event very special,” said the 40-year-old Granger, whose other triumphs came in the 2012 Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon in Subic Bay, 2011 Geelong Long Course, 2011 Ironman 70.3 Japan.
The challenge are expected to come from Swiss Caroline Steffen, the US’s Amanda Stevens, Australia’s Ali Fitch and Michelle Wu, New Zealand’s Cameron Brown, Hong Kong’s Erich Felbael and Sweden’s Frederick Cronenborg.
The Philippines will be represented by top locals Neil Catiil, Arland Macasieb and Noy Jopson as well as Dan Brown and Matthieu O’Halloran, who are foreigners but are now living in the country because of their Filipina beaus.
The event, which will thread through key cities in Cebu starting with host Lapu-Lapu City before passing through Mandaue City, Cebu City and Talisay, attracted more than 1,500 participants including 1,340 individual and 125 relay participants plus about 20 pros.
Aside from title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink and presentor Globe Telecoms, the event will also be supported by Alaska Milk Corp., Century Tuna, David’s Salon, Intercare, K-Swiss, Oakley, Timex and Powerade with Multi-Sports magazine, The Philippine STAR, Studio 23, BE Resorts, Crimson Resort & Spa, Finisher Prix, Shangri-La, Movenpick and Radisson Blu as other partners.
This year’s staging of the Cobra Energy Drink 70.3 draws the most number of entries, not to mention the money coming in to boost Cebu’s sports tourism campaign. — Philippine Star Sports/MBG