Why Dapitan City should host the Ironman 70.3

Mayor Jalosjos says recently concluded Dapitan 5150 shows Dapitan’s capability to host triathlons

Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos shows why the Ironman 70.3 should be held in the city. | Glendale G. Rosal

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Dapitan City boosted its chance to host the coveted Ironman 70.3 after its highly-successful inaugural hosting of the Dapitan 5150 Triathlon race last Sunday.

Dapitan City known as the “Shrine City” for its historical importance relevant to Jose Rizal’s life, showcased a completely different persona last Sunday through its sports tourism potential. 

READ: Casares, Mangrobang rule Dapitan 5150 Triathlon

It attracted over 400 triathletes from 11 countries, and on top of that, it fielded in the Philippines’ best triathletes who raced head-to-head for the huge cash prizes at stake. This rarely happens in a triathlon race in the country. 

Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos finally had a sigh of relief when the last participant safely crossed the finish line on Sunday. 

Jalosjos and his team not just pulled off a successful race, but rather a testament of their capability to host a bigger race— the Ironman 70.3.  

“It wasn’t just the participants who enjoyed, also the beautiful smiling faces of the Dapitanons. They enjoyed watching all these participants outside, cheering to everyone. Now they have a better outlook on what triathlon really is,” Jalosjos told CDN Digital after the race. 

READ: SEAG gold medalists Kim Mangrobang, Fernando Casares to see action in Dapitan 5150

To prove a point

For Jalosjos, besides impressing Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI), the organizer of the 5150 and Ironman races in the Philippines, they needed to convince the locals who were initially hesitant of their hosting because of the restrictions such as road closures. 

“At first the locals didn’t understand, but now seeing the faces of our people, our local vendors benefited, especially the grassroots level yung mga nagbebenta ng kung ano-ano, sila yung nakabenefit. Yung mga pension houses natin at resorts puno lahat,” Jalosjos said.

(At first the locals didn’t understand, but now seeing the faces of our people, our local vendors benefited, especially the grassroots level the ones who were selling whatever, they were the ones who benefited. Our pension houses and resorts they were all full.)

“We’re so happy that’s what exactly we’re trying to do, so they understand why we’re bringing these types of events here in Dapitan,” he said.

Jalosjos himself joined the race, in the sprint category to showcase a ‘new breed’ of leaders and politicians as a role model for a healthier and more active lifestyle. 

READ: Int’l tourist arrivals in PH breach 3 million; tourism revenue up by over 500%

Tourism and economy 

Jalosjos said that they would need to be aggressive in bringing events like this to their already touristy city to further boost their local economy and tourism. 

He said that all of Dapitan City’s resorts and pension houses, and other accommodations were fully booked throughout the weekend. 

He also noted that their restaurants and other attractions were packed with visitors who were there to either race or to support a participant. 

“Nakakatuwa na merong Germany, Finland sa triathlon races today (Sunday) and you see ang napakaliit na Dapitan City na hosting as well. That’s also one way of being proactive to promote our city that we can host 5150 here in Dapitan,” said Jalosjos.

(It is pleasing to see that there are participants from Germany, Finland in the triathlon races today (Sunday), and you see the hosting of this small Dapitan City as well. That’s also one way of being proactive to promote our city that we can host 5150 here in Dapitan.)

READ: Ironman 70.3 returns to Cebu in April 2024

Political will

Dapitan City is willing to move mountains just to host the coveted Ironman 70.3 which casually fields in more than a thousand triathletes from 20 to 30 countries. 

For Jalosjos, it’s all about political will, especially now that his administration have hurdled their biggest challenge— convincing the locals. 

“That’s a political will. So, it’s important for them to witness the race for themselves. Nakita nila yung participants na nag race. So wala na yung resistance after the race. We just had to hurdle that obstacle, yung next madali na, at least na intindihan na ng mga tao,” Jalosjos said. 

(That’s political will. So, it’s important for them to witness the race for themselves. They saw the participants competing. So they have no resistance now after the race. We just had to hurdle that obstacle, the next will be easier, at least, the people understand this.)

READ: Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu Cebu: Change of name gives it ‘homey vibes’ 

Perfect race

For SEI general manager and overall organizer, Princess Galura, Dapitan City’s inaugural hosting of the 5150 was a ‘perfect race.’

It was in terms of weather, race route, the absence of injuries among the participants, and the strong LGU support.  

“We technically finished the race at 10:30 AM. We had a very good race I think, one of the most perfect one. It’s because of the perfect weather, the water was warm enough, the weather was cool in the morning. Hindi mo lagi yang nakikita eh at makukuha ng isang tirada sa isang race (You cannot always get what you see and get in one go of the race),” said Galura. 

“Ang suporta ng LGU, malaking bagay yun. Overall, for a first year of a Dapitan 5150 of Mayor Bullet (Jalosjos) and his team, parang talagang nag career sila para ma perfect nila as much as possible. Overall, so far, it was all good. As far as we’re concerned, we’re very happy with their support,” she said.

(The support of the LGU, that is a big thing. Overall for a first year of a Dapitan 5150 of Mayor Bullet (Jalosjos) and his team, it seems that they made it a career to make it as perfect as possible. Overall, so far, it was all good. As far as we’re concerned, we’re happy with their support.)

READ: Ironman 70.3 : Why this can’t be held in Bohol yet

Points to consider in holding Ironman 70.3 there

Still, Galura, Jalosjos and the rest of the organizing team had to sit down and assess the race to further improve it for the next edition.

Also, they will discuss how can Jalosjos and Dapitan City scale their hosting to a bigger one if this small city in Zamboanga del Norte is fit for the Ironman 70.3 race. 

“We will go back to the drawing to see if it’s 2024 or 2025 that they can host the Ironman 70.3, but the thing is that they can do it. We just have to ensure that they can scale it and pwedeng palakihin ang event, hindi pwedeng ganito lang. Pagpalaki ibig sabihin (they can make the event bigger, it will not be like this. When we say make bigger this means) more flights, more hotels, more restaurants,” Galura said.

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