Variety of terrain, cheers drive triatheltes into returning for Cobra Ironman-Cebu edition

It’s the variety of terrain and the warm cheers of the people that encourages triathletes from all over the world to return to the Cobra Ironman 70.3 triathlon in  Cebu.

“There is no race in the world where we get treated the way we get treated here in Cebu,” said Belinda Granger, third placer in the Professional Elite Women field who finished the race in 4:48.

Australian Sam Betten, second overall champion in this year’s Cobra Ironman 70.3, said the Cebu race is “special” compared to other races he had joined.

“I love going through hills and tunnels and bridges here in Cebu and these make it special compared to other races in the world,” Betten said.

Having joined Ironman three years in a row in Cebu, Granger agreed, saying nothing beats Cebuanos in trying to keep the race alive.

Fans cheer on celebrity triathlete Matteo Guidicelli as he tries to finish the run course. Organizers were not able to stop them from touching the athlete. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

Casey Munro

“My run was incredible and it’s always filled with people. Here there isn’t a corner where no one’s watching. There is no race in the world where we get treated the way we get treated here in Cebu,” Granger said.

The event was a success thanks to the perfect weather, the organizers said. Princes Galura, project director of Sunrise Events Inc. said the bigger transition area contributed in the success of the race.

Two athletes who made it early to the finish line were disqualified from the race for illegal drafting of other bikers in the race.

Australian Casey Munro and Filipino elite athlete Banjo Norte could only agree with the decision of the organizers.

“Well nobody ever feels good from being disqualified but I understand that rules are rules and they are put there for a reason,” Casey told the media during a press conference.