Clear the way, Ironman is here

CEBU, Philippines - It's the time of the year again when everything else in the Queen City of the South literally pause for a while to give way to the 2,618 athletes from 53 countries across six continents for the Cobra Energy Drink IronMan 70.3 Philippines early today at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Brent McMahon of  Canada and Caroline Steffen of Switzerland face a daunting task of defending their respective titles as a deep field of PROs are seeing action led by five-time world champion Craig Alexander, who is competing here for the first time.

The other top contenders in the men's division are the likes of Pete Jacobs, who is also a world champion, Sam Betten, Cameron Brown, Luke McKenzie, Van Berkel, Tim Reed, Justin Granger, Clayton Fettel, Mitch Robins, Matt Franklin and Wai Kit Lam.

Out to challenge Steffen's grandslam bid in the women's side are Beth Gerdes, Belinda Granger, Dimity Lee-Duke, Carole Fuchs, Kathryn Haesner and Michelle Wu.

Close to 50 ALL-world-class triathletes are also scattered in different age-groups, making it by far the biggest and grandest edition of an Ironman 70.3 spectacle on Philippine soil.

The AWA program was introduced in 2013 as a reward to loyal Ironman athletes. To be included in the list, one should be in the top 10 percent of their age group for that calendar year.

On the other hand, the local spectators are expected to cheer for their bets in the all-Filipino elite category, especially that two Cebuanas are vying for the top honors in Cianyl Gonzalez and Louie Villacin. In the men's side, Cebu's Alan Ting, Kristiane Glendale Lim, Ralph Arche, Emmanuel Comendador, Johnny Ferniz, Franz Baguio, Gerrie Calinawan, Elmo Clarabal, Philip Duenas,  Jefrey Codino, Mendel Lopez, Ralph Martin Seos-e, and Jory Ycong are among the participants to watch out for.

The Cebuano elites will try to outsmart defending champion August Benedicto, while the female challengers will  go after Monica Torres and reigning titlist Joyette Jopson among others.

A relay event will spice up the race with more than 50 teams in the all-male division, 20 in the all-female and 91 in the mixed division.

Actor Piolo Pascual is competing under Sunlife's all-male relay team.

Ronda Pilipinas champion Santy Baranchea will compete in the relay for the first time under La Europa with Cebuano swimmer Keith Ocampo and marathon record-holder Mary Joy Tabal.

The biggest threat in their title defense is the RDAK squad composed of national cyclist John Renee Mier, open water champion Loren Dale Echavez and Kenyan runner Isaac Simat.

Today's battle will have a rolling swim start, a first in Ironman's seven-year history in the country. Instead of going by age brackets, they will deal the 1.9-kilometer swim according to their level of skills and time last year.

In the bike route, they will pedal a total of 90 kilometers from Lapu-Lapu to Talisay passing through the Marcelo Fernan bridge to Plaridel street in Mandaue City going to the South Road Properties passing through Cebu City's tunnel and back. The bike course follows the 'M' loop patterned after that of the 2013 design.

The 21K run course will be the same as last year. Around 28,000 students from Lapu-Lapu City will line up the streets to cheer for all the participants, who have to finish the race in eight hours and 30 minutes after the last rolling start of the swim release. (FREEMAN)