Century Tuna all geared up for first full Ironman

MANILA, Philippines — From three 5150 and three Ironman 70.3 events, Century Tuna puts up the ultimate test in endurance races in a test of physical strength and mental toughness – the first full Ironman on June 3 in Subic.

One thousand and 278 brave triathletes have so far signed up for the punishing 3.8km swim-180km bike-42km run race, all aiming to at least complete the first-ever full triathlon in the country while showcasing the Filipino triathletes’ passion in the sport that has drawn thousands and thousands of regular campaigners, weekend runners and wannabes in each triathlon staging.

“Competing in a full triathlon requires a high level of commitment from the athletes to train for long, hard hours for at least five months. And Century Tuna is proud to be at the forefront of promoting health and fitness in the country,” said Greg Banzon, vice president and general manager of Century Pacific Food. “The expected scale and scope of attention the event will generate in the country and the global triathlon community gives us a very big stage to shout out our message of living a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise.”

The first full Ironman, organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc. and presented by Alaska, Tourism Promotions Board and Department of Tourism, also serves as a fitting event for SEI’s 10th anniversary celebrations and a decade of Ironman staging in the country.

Eight hundred thirty-three local triathletes banner the huge field in the centerpiece event which drew bets from 47 countries, including 78 each from China and Japan, 54 from the US, 47 from Singapore and 29 from Australia with Great Britain and Northern Ireland fielding in a combined 18-triathlete delegation and Korean sending in 16.