Celebs gear up for Cobra Ironman 70.3

MANILA, Philippines - A pack of celebrities take time out from their busy schedules to test their skills on the sporting stage as they compete in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines this Sunday in Cebu.

Matteo Guidicelli, Paul Jake Castillo, Bubbles Paraiso, Dyan Castillejo and Kim Atienza will be vying in the individual competitions of the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run event while Piolo Pascual (bike), Gerald Anderson (bike), Jake Cuenca (bike), Gretchen Fulido (swim), Enchong Dee (swim) and Kim Chiu (run) likewise take a break from the numerous commitments to join in the relay team event of the top-level endurance race set to start and end at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Their presence will not only add glamor and excitement to the event but also provide the competitive spirit that has marked their stints in a number of triathlons that they had competed in as part of their healthy lifestyle despite their hectic commitments and endorsements.

They will be among the more than 2,600 triathletes from a record 51 countries set to see action in the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and backed by title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink and presentor Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and Summit Natural Drinking Water, also the official hydration partner.

Aussies Tim Reed and Dimity-Lee Duke, meanwhile, banner the elite pro side which stakes a top purse of $5,000 each in the men’s and women’s divisions of the event that will also feature the likes of Aussie Tim Van Berkel, Mauricio Mendez of Mexico, Brent McMahon of Canada, Kiwi Cameron Brown and another Aussie ace Sam Betten, winner of the recent Regent 5150 in Subic.

Also in the fold are Braden Currie, Eddie Rawles and Callum Millward of New Zealand, David Mainwaring, Alexander Polizzi and Luke Bell of Australia, Americans Brad Williams and Iain Alexandridis, Czech Jakub Langhammer, Johan Stofberg of South Africa, Italian Jonathan Ciavatella and Eric Watson of Bahrain, all raring to beat Reed’s 3:51:46 clocking last year.

Out to crowd Duke for the women’s tiara are compatriots Jacqueline Thisleton, Alise Selsmark, Kirra Seidel, Monica Juhart and Kerry Mulholland, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson and local bet Kim Kilgroe.