CEBU, Philippines - Good news cropped up during the formal opening of the Active Zone Bike Festival yesterday at the Ayala Center-Cebu as some of Cebu’s event organizers and bike enthusiasts jointly hatched the idea of hosting an “Ironman” here in the future.
At the launching of the Bikefest presented by R.O.X, more athletes and other fitness buffs are wooing Cebu organizers to host an Ironman action since the country only has CamSur as its destination for the said event right now.
The accessibility, flight schedules, manpower, suitability for events like the dreaded Ironman among other factors are all possible in Cebu .
ASAP’s Perl Jacalan, who is one of the primovers of the Cebu City Marathon among other successful sporting events here, said they have received a lot of calls from people from Manila expressing themselves that hopefully Cebu bids to host the Ironman.
Although she is not closing such possibility, Jacalan said it will need a lot of work, financial resources and full support of the local government units since international events have lots of demands.
While plans to host the Ironman are still being mapped out, R.O.X. has decided to sponsor the Bikefest, which includes a bike exhibit, clinic and a fun ride with the aim of drumming up the Cebuanos’ interest in biking, running and swimming – the three sporting disciplines in Ironman.
The bike exhibit, the first of its kind at Ayala according to its new general manager Joy Polloso, features high-end road and mountainbikes, some of which are for sale at a discounted rate at R.O.X.
Today, there will be a bike clinic which will be handled by Jens Funk and James Montecillo of YKK, one of the most-trusted bike shops here.
Meanwhile, registration for the R.O.X. Bike Out set early tomorrow has already been closed as the the target number of participants has already exceeded. Yesterday’s head count had already reached over 300 pedal-pushers. – THE FREEMAN