Bigger, more exciting Ironman

MAKATI, Philippines  â€” The organizers of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines look forward to a bigger and more exciting fifth edition of the annual endurance race set on August 4 at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

The event was formally launched by Sunrise Events president Wilfred Steven Uytengsu , Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza and Cobra Energy Drink’s Abe Cipriano yesterday at Shangri-La Makati.

For the past five years, the Ironman Philippines has become one of the biggest and best 70.3 races that foreign athletes look forward to.

“Today, we have grown to over 2,000 athletes. First, we put this up for Filipino triathletes to experience Ironman. Second, for the foreign athletes to come to the Philippines and lastly, to show our capabilities to host a world-class event,” said Uytengsu.

Mayor Radaza, for her part, assured that they will again make their hosting of the event a memorable one for all the paticipants.

“We will make sure that when you go back to your respective places after the race, you will bring with you only happy memories because it is double the fun in Lapu-Lapu City,” said Radaza.

Apart from the fun they will experience in the historic Mactan Island, the athletes could also look forward to the unique finisher's medals and trophies crafted by the world-class Cebuano furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue.

The medal and trophy show an endless inter-twining rings, the silver part of it representing water, the black ring representing the tire of the bike and the yellow gold ring for the tracks on the run part.

Cobonpue said the three rings may also represent the three major regions of the country.

Suarez Brothers, on the other hand, will make the trophies, which Cobonpue will be designing.

Adding up excitement to the event is the return of the Alaska Ironkids on August 3 featuring aspiring triathletes aged 14 to 16 years old. (FREEMAN)