Jacobs heads high-powered Cobra Ironman 70.3 roster

Manila, Philippines - The third Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines will be held Aug. 13-14 with a bigger, power-packed cast clashing in a battle of strength and endurance at the CamSur Watersports Complex in Camarines Sur.

More than 1,100 participants, 12 professional athletes, led by defending champion Pete Jacobs of Australia and 97 relay teams from 28 countries will slug it out in what promises to be another explosive, thrilling triathlon experience.

Also on tap is the Alaska Milk Ironkids Triathlon, the junior version of the international triathlon series, Ironman.

Open to kids 6-14 years old, the Ironkids triathlon aims to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for the youngsters as an alternative to staying indoors watching TV, playing videogames or surfing the Internet.

Now on its second year, the Alaska Ironkids hopes to attract not only the children of the Ironman triathletes but also those who enjoy the swim (100-400m), bike (3-12kms) and run (1-3kms) legs of the sport. Participants will be grouped in four age levels – 6-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.

Online listup is at www.ironkidsphil.com or at RUNNR at Boni High Street.

A total of 62 kids competed in last year’s CWC Triathlon leg, including Benjamin, Hannah, Donato and Ella, kids of celebrity parents Maricel and Anthony Pangilinan; Tara and Samantha, daughters of body-building champs Ringo and Caroline Borlain; Blade, son of ABS-CBN publishing honcho Ernie Lopez, among others.

Alaska Ironkids has already completed four legs earlier this year – two runs and two aquathlons – and the race in CWC will be its second to the last leg for the year. About 80 kids are expected to participate this year. The last race, another triathlon leg, will be held at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Oct. 30.

Amanda Balding, a cancer survivor heads the Ironman 70.3 Philippines cast, including 11 pro triathletes.

“The desire to do something extraordinary with my life came after it was nearly taken away from me. Cancer is a horrible disease. After I got better, I promised myself that I would follow my dreams. I may not be the fastest pro out on the race course but I am the most grateful,” said Balding.

Other pros competing are 10-time Ironman New Zealand champion Cameron Brown, Justin Granger, Dan Brown, Luke Gillmer, Belinda Granger, Luke Mckenzie and Amanda Stevens. Incidentally, Brown also emerged the champion of the Ironman 70.3 in Korea last July 3.

The Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines also serves as a qualifier for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii and Ironman World Championships 70.3 in Las Vegas, Nevada this year.

Slots to the best and most prestigious triathlon race in the world will be made available to the top 30 triathletes in the age group categories.

“You may have read on ironman.com that our event (Ironman 70.3 Philippines) was awarded 30 slots for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii as a result of the cancellation of Ironman 70.3 China. Needless to say we are ecstatic that World Triathlon Corporation had the trust in us to provide our event with the slots.” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, president of Sunrise Events, Inc. and C.E.O of Alaska Milk Corp.

For his part, Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte will again lead the entire province in welcoming the participants from all over the world as all roads again lead to CamSur for the third staging of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

The presenting sponsor of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines is Globe Telecom. The event is also sponsored by Alaska Milk Corporation, Air21 Express, Century Tuna, Department of Tourism, Gatorade, K-Swiss, Oakley, Power Bar, DusitThani, David’s Salon, Intercare and SM City Naga.

Official carriers are Philippine Airlines and Airphil Express. Media partners are Juice.ph, MultiSport, the Philippine Star and Studio 23. Official timekeeper is Timex. Official photographer is Asi Photo. Insurance provider is Prudential Guarantee. The host venue is the CamSur Watersports Complex.