Lapu-Lapu mayor wants 3 more years to host Cobra Ironman 70.3

WILL CEBU  BID  FOR MORE?

August 3 will mark Cebu’s third straight year of hosting  the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, a boost for tourism and the province’s international profile.

It may not be the last time.

Organizers will consider extending a  three-year contract depending on how  the last leg unfolds and whether officials of Lapu-Lapu city and the Province of Cebu go after it aggressively.

“We are considering other provinces which are applying to host the event,” such as Davao, Legaspi,  Subic and even Bohol province,  said Princess Galura, project director of Sunrise Events Inc.

“But we have at this time the ideal place (in Cebu) considering that it has an international airport, hotel accommodations and the cooperation of the local governments.”

Galura said she still has to meet Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza to discuss the matter.

The mayor was enthusiastic about a repeat engagement after the Aug. 3 international event.

“Three years more will be a big help in the city’s effort to brand itself as a historic resort city,” she said.

“It’s in the bag”, said her publicist Jonji Gonzalez in a text message to Cebu Daily News.

During Friday’s launch held at the Rockwell Tent in Makati, Galura said that  Cebuanos should be  proud that registration for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 was fully booked within four hours after the website was opened for online sign-ups.

All 2,600 slots were taken.

“General registration sold out” read a notice on the official website yesterday.

Over 700 are on a waiting list, a clear sign that interest in a  half-Ironman challenge in Cebu  hasn’t waned.

Last year, Cebu’s second year as host, there were 2,100 participants. Most of them booked in resorts and hotels in Lapu-Lapu close to the main staging venue at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort and Spa.

The first Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines was held in 2009 in Camarines Sur with 583 participants.

SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ROUTES

This year organizers have modified the routes in Cebu.

A 1.9-kilometer swim, which used to be held exclusively at Shangri-la resort will now end at Portofino Beach Resort where the bike transition area is also located.

The bike leg this year will still pass through the North Reclamation Area but only twice.  Organizers decided to hold the bike loops at the Cebu South Coastal Road due to massive road repair being done at the NRA.

The 21-kilometer run segment will follow the same route within Lapu-Lapu city as in previous years.

“Let us make this year’s Ironman  rank number one in the world,” said Mayor Radaza in a speech read for her at the launch event by Hembler Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu city tourism officer.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, representing Gov. Hilario Davide III, said  the role of the Capitol is that of an enabler to bring all parties together to ensure a safe and successful race: the private organizer, police, different local governments , authorities of traffic, the port, the Mandaue-Mactan bridges, and emergency services.

Cebu’s fiesta-like hosting of past Ironman races drew rave reviews from local and foreign participants.

Schoolchildren lined the streets in Lapu-Lapu city  to cheer tired triathletes and  special side events were mounted like fireworks, band concerts and and a carbo-loading party.

“We will try our best to outdo ourselves this year,” said Mayor Radaza.

“On August 3, we will continue to deploy 25,000 students to line up along the race route to cheer the athletes.  We will continue to have student cheerers camp out the night before the main event at the northern tip of Lapu-Lapu City where the run course turn-around will be. At sea, there will be dozens of colorful vintas to spruce up the swim course.”

The friendly and enthusiastic spectators were a big plus for the event.

“Cebuanos simply love the Ironman,” said Galura of Sunrise Events Inc., chief organizer of the Cobra Ironman 70.3.,.

“I thank the Cebu provincial government for their strong support and the never-ending support of Lapu-Lapu City. We started off with 583 participants in Camarines Sur now we’ve grown to 2,600 because everyone knows that it’s held in Cebu. They know Cebu is a great place,” she said.

“We will announce everything when we get there in Cebu. We have to talk to Mayor Paz. We still don’t know for how long the extension will be,” Galura said in  text message.

Lapu-Lapu City tourism head Hembler Mendoza said the same race attractions will  be seen this year.

If a three-year extension is granted, he said wants to come up with a master plan jointly made by SEI and the different LGUs covered by the race to iron out all possible kinks.

To keep a high level of interest, he said he would meet with different sectors to map out more attractions and discuss with resorts, hotels and travel agencies how to come up with discounts and special promos.

Cebu took over the hosting reins in 2012 with the swim and run legs staged in Lapu-Lapu City. The 90-kilometer bike segment took riders to Mandaue City and Cebu City passing through the old Mactan-Mandaue bridge up to Cebu City’s centerpiece project – the South Road Properties.

A week before  August 3,  City Hall will launch the city’s brand, “Lapu-Lapu: The Historic Resort City”  as  part of  efforts to attract more tourists and investors.

The brand colors of yellow, blue, green, and persimmon orange will be seen on the race weekend.

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