Ironman triathlon: The supreme endurance test

Finally, the Ironman Triathlon arrives in the Philippines.

Considered as the ultimate dream of any triathlete, and the supreme triathlon test, the event features a 3.8-kilometer open water swim, followed by a 180-kilometer bike, and a full 42.2-kilometer marathon.

The racecourse covers a total of 226 kilometers from start to finish. The unique sport, considered the most exciting endurance race in the world, originated in Kona, Hawaii.

The First Philippine Ironman Triathlon takes place in Matabungkay Beach in Batangas Nov. 30 with the bike event passing the towns of Calatagan, Balayan, and Lian.

About 40 individual participants, including 18 who have already confirmed their participation, from full-time triathletes to CEO’s, professional doctors, businessmen, and students, are expected to compete, according to Ricky Ledesma of the organizing First Wave Events Inc.

"This is a much-awaited event here in the Philippines, perhaps overdue already considering the fact that our neighboring country Malaysia is already on its third year of its own Ironman with a field of close to a thousand participants," said Ledesma, who has already secured the support of the local government units in Batangas and initial corporate sponsors like Northwest Airlines, David’s Salon, Gatorade, Arena, New Balance, Coral Beach Club, High 5 Energy Bar, Matabungkay Beach Resort, and Timex.

For the last six years, Raul Cuevas, one of the early local Ironman finishers, having completed the full distance event in Canada, Japan, and Austria, has been staging the Philippine Half-Ironman, also in Batangas, in preparation for the full Ironman.

For inquiries, call up the Secretariat (Lito Fugoso) at 0918-9246299, and 8964544, with telefax number 8956548.