All Roads Lead to CAMSUR

Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 returns

MANILA, Philippines - The Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 returns to the CamSur WaterSports Complex in Pili, Camarines this year, bigger and better than ever.

Already conceded as the best first-time triathlon race ever after its wildly successful inaugural run last year the event returns this year better organized, better promoted and with even more participants than last year.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in participation this year, from 583, we’ll now have 841 participants or a 40 percent increase. In fact, we have to close the registration so we can preserve the quality of the races,” said Sunrise Events Inc. president and Alaska Milk Corp. CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu during the media launch at Dusit Thani Manila Hotel.

Uytengsu named last year’s winner Bozzone as favorite among the foreign field that includes last year’s third placer Cameron Brown also of New Zealand, Paul Amey of the UK, Justin Cole of Australia, Erich Felbabel of Hong Kong, Leon Griffin of Australia and Lance Watson.

Bozzone has won two of his last three races in the US circuit and was picked as the heavy favorite to repeat his CamSur victory last year.

The women’s cast includes former Ironman world champion and Sydney Olympics triathlon silver medalist Michellie Jones of Australia.

Bozzone, a former world champion who topped the inaugural 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run event in 2009, will lead a tough field of over 800 triathletes from 34 countries in this year’s edition.

The Alaska Ironkids Philippines will be run over the same course the day before. The race puts the spotlight on 149 boys and girls on Aug. 21. On tap are races in four age groups: 6-8 (100m swim, 3K bike, 1K run); 9-10 (200m swim, 6K bike, 1K run); 11-12 (300m swim, 10K bike, 2K run); and 13-14 (400m swim, 12K bike, 3K run).

Governor LRay Villafuerte, host Camarines Sur, said he will put in place more measures to ensure the safety of the competitors.

“We’re providing divers in both the Lago del Ray and the CWC (Cable Park) lake and there will be lifeguards for every 100 meters of the lake as well as large signs to better guide the swimmers,” said Villafuerte.

Like last year, the governor promised that the public will come out to support and encourage the participants especially during the long bike portion of the race which will traverse different towns in Camarines Sur.

The title sponsor of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines is Cobra Energy Drink. Other sponsors include Globe Telecoms, Department of Tourism, Philippine Air Lines, Air Philippines, Alaska Milk Corporation, Century Tuna, Power Bar, David Salon, Dusit Thani Manila, Oakley, Timex, Prudential Guarantee, K-Swiss and Gatorade. Local media partners are The Philippine STAR, ABS-CBN Publishing and Multi-Sport.

Title sponsor for the Ironkids Philippines is Alaska Milk Corporation. Other sponsors include McDonalds, Gatorade, Timex, Prudential Guarantee, Audi, Private Iris and Summit Natural Drinking Water.

Facts & Figures

• Registration Period: November 15 – Feb 28 (Early Bird); March 1 – May 30 (Regular Registration). We closed May 24.

• Total number of participants: 604 individual and 79 relay teams for a total of 841 participants. (Last year : 409 Individual and 58 relay teams, total 583 participants) – 44% increase

• Gender Breakdown for individual: 518 male, 86 female.

• Total of 34 countries including Philippines, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Slovakia, South Africa, Belgium, Norway, etc for individual with a total of 172 foreign participants. (Last year, 23 countries participated)

• Largest Age Group is 30 - 44 years old comprising 64% of total registrants. We have 8 pax in the age 60 – 64 and 1 in the age group 65 and above (Last year, 30- 44 years old comprised 70%)

• Total 13 International Pros – 9 Male, 4 Female (Last Year: total pros, 9)

• End of Registration is May 24, 2010