SUNRISE Events Inc. (SEI), the organizing firm that handles the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines, hopes the Cebu City government and the Cebu Provincial government will be able to convince the contractor from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reschedule its planned roadwork in the approaches of the South Road Properties (SRP) tunnel.
SEI Project director Princess Galura told Cebu Daily News that the city and the province already requested the contractor to delay its roadworks and move it after the Aug. 2 triathlon.
“I hope that it will be rescheduled,” Galura said. “If not, then we will have to look for another option.”
The 90-kilometer bike route of the prestigious triathlon race passes through the tunnel. If the road rehabilitation proceeds, it will take an estimated 150 days to complete. This means work may not be completed by race day.
“If the roadwork won’t be moved, then it’s the time for us to look for an alternative route for the bike portion,” Galura said.
Despite the slight problem with the tunnel works, Galura is still thankful that DPWH acted on the concreting project along S. Osmeña road.
“I am very thankful for their effort because that’s the main concern of the participants in the previous years,” she said.
The race will start and finish at the plush Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Mactan Island. It will also feature a 1.9 k swim and 21k half marathon run. Galura said 2,535 triathletes have already enlisted for the race.