After conquering the full distance of Ironman Asia Pacific Championships in Melbourne, Australia last year, six Cebuano hardcore triathletes will again test their limits on Nov. 15 in the Ironman Arizona in the United States.
Led by Meyric Jacalan, the Cebuanos recently wrapped up their 20-week training and will fly to Arizona, USA this Sunday.
This early, Jacalan already expressed fulfillment after gaining a spot in the prestigious race which requires an invitation or a certification that one has completed a full Ironman.
“We are blessed because slots to this race runs out so fast. Luckily we all completed last year’s race in Melbourne. Princess Galura of Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) also helped us secure slots to the Nov. 15 race,” Jacalan said.
Jacalan who also finished the Maui XTerra World Championships last year, will be joined by Andrew and Jane-jane Ong, Jomer Lim, Dr. Alberto Solis and Gian Luca Guidicelli.
The full Ironman distance features 3.8-kilometer swim, 180k bike and a full 42k marathon.
Jacalan said they are hoping to improve on their Melbourne times of between 12-15 hours, especially since the Arizona Ironman features a flat terrain with a humid weather. “We hope we will finish a bit faster than in Melbourne which I think is the best organized race I’ve joined,” Jacalan added.
A total of 50 Filipinos were given slots to the Ironman Arizona through SEI which organizes the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines and the Asia Pacific Championships next year in Cebu.
Jacalan said that part of their training, is biking in Bohol and swimming in Balinsasayaw Lake in Dumaguete since Arizona’s swim portion will be held in a lake.