Slight change in Cobra Ironman Course

CEBU, Philippines - There will be a slight change in the race route of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines set on August 5 at Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

This was bared by race director Guy Concepcion during its’ latest weekly coordination meeting with the city government of Lapu-Lapu led by Mayor Paz Radaza.

Instead if two loops, the 1.9-kilometer swim course will now just have one loop.

The swim part, which will be the first test for the participants, is scheduled to kick off at 6:15 a.m. from Shangri-La going to Movenpick then Portofino and then back at Shangri-la.

The bike course, on the other hand, will be from Shangri-La heading to Talisay City passing through the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, Cebu International Convention Center, Plaza Independencia and the South Road Properties.

The last discipline, running which covers 21-km will now include running inside the two Robinson’s property, Blue Coast and Amisa in Punta Engano.

Mayor Radaza had already ordered the City Traffic Management Service to strictly implement the road closure at the race route to prevent any accident and has instructed the barangay captains to assist CTMS in implementing the road closures.

Along with this change, Mayor Radaza has also decided to increase the number of well-wishers and cheerers with flaglets, from 12 to 25 thousand.

Cheerers will be compose of high school students under the Department of Education and and barangay folk.

Around 65 vintas will be deployed at the Hilutungan channel. The city will provide t-shirts and the colorful sails for the vintas.

Concepcion welcomes the increase of number of cheerers and will surely make them love Lapu-Lapu City for this.

As a race director and former triathlete, Concepcion said the athletes would need a lot of encouragement particularly when they are back from the bike leg and on to the running part since they are very tired by this time.

Tourist police will be assigned in Shangri-La on that day to provide security to around 4 thousand people that will converge in the area while the city’s health officer will be coordinating with the race organizer to ensure that medical assistance is on standby for any emergencies.

Concepcion urged spectators not to provide any assistance to triathletes as getting outside assistance is prohibited in the race and reminded the crowd to refrain from helping athletes that get injured and only allow the medical team to handle the situation. - THE FREEMAN