Ironman 70.3: Race smooth, peaceful

CEBU, Philippines — Despite the controversy  involving the race route, yesterday’s staging of Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 in Asia-Pacific Championship in Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City went smoothly.

"Na-maintain ang peacefulness (sa city). Naa tay reports nga naay inconveniences but expected na ni siya. We seek their understanding kay panagsa ra man ni sa usa ka tuig," Lapu-Lapu Police chief Limuel Obon said after the race.

At least 1,000 police personnel secured Lapu-Lapu City where the race kicked off at the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort and Spa with 2,571 athletes participating in different categories.

Police estimated the crowd at the resort and the streets at 27,000.

The race started at 7 a.m. with a 1.9 kilometer swim relay followed by a 21-kilometer run, and a 90-kilometer bike relay, which crossed to Mandaue City via the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

In Mandaue, athletes pedaled through A.C. Cortes Street, D.M. Cortes Street, A. Soriano Street, and in Zuellig Avenue before returning to Mactan Island.

"Smooth ra gyud ang flow sa traffic. Wala ra ta nakasugat og mga problema during the activity sa Ironman," said Glenn Antigua, chief of the city’s traffic group.

Surveillance footage from cameras of the Bantay Mandaue Command Center showed thousands of spectators along the streets.

Antigua said that aside from the city’s traffic personnel, the city police also helped maintain peace and order.

Mauricio Mendez of Mexico and Radka Kahlefeldt of Czech Republic won the pros category in yesterday’s race.

Preparations for the event hit a snag in June after Mayor Tomas Osmeña did not allow the bike race to traverse the South Road Properties in Cebu City. Organizers went north but Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco also declined the application of Sunrise Events Inc. to use the city’s roads.

Yesterday, Sunrise Events President and CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu said the snag was a blessing in disguise because the athletes’ feedback as far as the route was concerned was positive.

He said next year's Ironman race will still be held in Cebu.

Commuters

Meanwhile, Mayor Paz Radaza apologized to commuters affected the road closures for the bike routes in Barangays Mactan, Basak, Marigondon, and Pajo.

"Mangayo lang ko og dispensa sa mga katawhan. I know wala kaayo gyud mi nagkasinabot kay supposedly, it's a total road closure, but for emergency purposes, mao tong duna ta'y open and close (nga kalsada). It was not for the regular riding public nga i-abli gyud totally," Radaza explained.

She said the confusion was a learning experience for the city.

“Kining atong sayop, di na mausab. We will look into this matter sa mga umaabot nga event, kung naa man gani, or any other activities (in the city)," Radaza said. (FREEMAN)