World champs head biggest Cobra Ironman roster

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – Topnotch triathletes, led by world pro champions Craig Crowie Alexander and Pete “PJ” Jacobs and holders Brent McMahon and Caroline Steffen will make this historic city the battlefront in their clash for supremacy as they banner a record field of 2,618 participants in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 this Sunday.

The four top guns will be up against a host of tough competitors in Cameron Brown, Sam Betten, Luke McKenzie, Tim van Berkel, Tim Reed, Justin Granger, Clayton Fettel, Mitch Robins, Wai Kit Lam, and Matt Franklin in the men’s hostilities and Beth Gerdes, Belinda Granger, Dimity Lee-Duke, Caroline Fuchs and Kathryn Haesner in the women’s side.

According to organizer Sunrise Events, Inc., this year’s Cobra Ironman race is the biggest ever to date, more than quadrupling the field in the event’s debut in 2009. Slots were sold out just 40 minutes after the opening of registration, with triathletes from 52 nations across six continents signing up for the race, a qualifier to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 world championships in Sunshine Coast, Australia.

“Having 2,618 triathletes from 52 countries is extremely encouraging for the growth of our sport in this part of the world. We are also very appreciative of the stellar cast of pros joining us, not only to race but also to experience the beauty of our country,” Sunrise Events, Inc. president Fred Uytengsu said.

The 2015 Cobra Ironman 70.3 will feature the new “rolling start” for the swim, where athletes are encouraged to self-seed themselves. The bike course will go back to the “M Loop” while the run will be a two-loop course of generally flat terrain of mixed asphalt and concrete roads.

Before the adults hit the course, the youngsters will first take the stage in Saturday’s Alaska IronKids Triathlon Cebu, which similarly attracted a new high of 174 participants, led by grand-slam seeking Tara Borlain and Juan Francisco Baniqued in the 11-12 category.

Sunrise exec Princess Galura said IronKids slots were sold out for the first time in five years and this year’s staging will also offer a “Play Category” with short and long distances to promote outdoor play and increase participation for non-competitive participants.

“Hopefully, the participants in the Play Category will convert to the Race Category next time,” Galura said in yesterday’s media briefing.

Likewise, IronKids participants will have a practice run today with some of the pros along with Alaska Tri-Aspire coach Matt O’Halloran and Filipino Elites Banjo Norte and Jenny Guerrero in a side events dubbed “Alaska Run Out.” 

Afterwards, they will troop to Punta Engano Elementary School for the “Alaska Gatas Breakfast” milk-drinking activity with over 1,600 students there.

The Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines is produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. with title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink, powered by Ford Philippines and presented by Summit Water. Others backers are official courier and logistics partner 2Go Express, official footwear and apparel partner Asics, official sports drink Gatorade, race venue partners Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu Province and Lapu-lapu City.

The venue sponsor is Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown, while bike course sponsors are Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City. Other supporters are Kenneth Cobonpue, Prudential Guarantee, TYR, Sunlife Financial, Department of Tourism, Tourism Board of the Philippines, David’s Salon, Finisher Pix, Intercare, Alaska Milk Corporation, Timex, Shotz, Safeguard Men, Brew Kettle, Asahi, Devant, Flawress, Regent, Sante Barle, Motorace, Prozza, Omega PRO, Tisyu, hotel partners Be Resort, Crimson Resort and Spa, Movenpick Hotel and Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, technology partner Xurpas, media center sponsor Globe Telecom, and media partners The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife and AsiaTri.com.