BLESSING IN DISGUISE

IRONMAN 70.3 CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Sunrise to unveil new 90-K bike route in a few days after Osmeña denied use of SRP

Instead of seeing as a huge setback, the decision of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña not to let the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships use the Cebu South Coastal Road (SCR) in the South Road Properties (SRP) as the route for the 90-kilometer biking phase of the race, Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) general manager Princess Galura sees it as a blessing in disguise.

This after many Cebuanos rose up to the occasion and offered to help find a solution, an alternative route for the 90-K biking segment with the international race, which will start and end at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, set to happen less than two months, on August 5.

In a phone interview with Cebu Daily News (CDN), Galura said that they feel more blessed than before after more and more Cebuanos rose to offer their help to find a solution in finding a new alternative route.

She said she was disappointed by the decision of the Cebu City government, but she chose not to let it affect her, much more the race. Instead, she’d rather move on and start planning for the alternative route.

“It is already given that there’s a disappointment but we have to continue to work and move on,” said Galura. “It’s actually a blessing in disguise because a lot of Cebuanos offered help in finding a new alternative route. I believe that the Cebuano people won’t let this happen to the race and I am very thankful because I have the support of the Cebu provincial government,” Galura said.

Osmeña announced yesterday that he denied the request of SEI, which had been organizing the race for the past seven years and has always used the CSCR in SRP for the 90-K biking.

“Well, they were asking if they could have the Ironman, and partially close the SRP. But I said no. I like the Ironman but so many people are complaining about the traffic,” said Osmeña in a press conference.

Galura revealed that she already met with the Cebu provincial government officials yesterday and asked that they be given a few days to finalize everything before unveiling the new route for the 90-K bike course.

“The entire Cebu is helping us and yes, the race will be held on August 5. We have already coordinated with the Cebu provincial government but we can’t divulge any information about the new route so give us a few days before we can officially announce it,” added Galura.

Around 3,000 triathletes from more than 50 countries will be joining the 1.9-K swim, 90-K bike and 21-K run which is considered as the biggest triathlon race in Asia. Also, the best of the best triathletes in the Asia Pacific region are also eyeing the title at stake in the pro division.

This is the second time Cebu will host the Asia Pacific Championships. The first one was in 2016.

TEMPORARY INCONVENIENCE

The main reason of the city government in barring sporting events at the SRP is that it will cause a major traffic jam due to the ongoing construction of the P638-million underpass along N. Bacalso Avenue. The second reason is that road accidents are prone if one lane is used for both sides of traffic to give way to the race.

“And it’s not only traffic. There were two, big vehicular accidents because they make one side of the road a two-way lane,” added Osmeña. “It’s very prestigious to host the Ironman but you know, I don’t want the prestige if it makes the people feel miserable. People are suffering every day because of the traffic. Why would we aggravate it?”

Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo, who also happens to be a relay participant of the upcoming race, said that the prohibition is just temporary.

Guardo, who is also the chairman of Cebu City’s Youth and Sports Development program, said that they will not change their ultimate goal of turning Cebu City into a sports tourism hub, capable of hosting international events.

“Cebu is still fit and still positioned to host international sports event. In fact, we were able to organize an international dragon boat race in SRP recently, how much more if the third bridge connecting Cebu City and Cordova will be finished? Hopefully, by next year, the underpass construction at N. Bacalso Avenue will be completed. Mayor Tom (Osmeña) told me that if the underpass is complete then there’s no problem of holding sports events in SRP. We don’t want this to happen. We just want the overall safety of the athletes and motorists if we opt to use one lane for the race and traffic during race day,” said Guardo.

He also assured that the Cebu City government will resume its support of the Ironman 70.3 race next year, and they will be allowed to use the SRP by then.

He already gave suggestions to SEI and Galura to use the northern side of Cebu as an alternate course for the 90-K bike course.