It’s still two months before Asia’s biggest triathlon race unfolds in Mactan, but hotel rooms near the race venue are reportedly running out fast.
The Cobra Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships will unfold on August 7 with the world’s toughest triathletes expected to converge on the island.
Princess Galura, one of the event organizers who is also the general manager of Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI), revealed that the race’s official venue, the Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa is already fully booked while Be Resorts, which is located beside it, is also fully booked for the August 7 race.
Galura told CDN that she is coordinating with Movenpick Hotel, which is also near the above mentioned resort hotels, to reserve rooms for the participants.
“I am sure there are other places they (triathletes) can stay, but these may not be as convenient,” said Galura.
With a record field of 2,817 triathletes that is expected to reach 3,000 on race day, resorts and hotels on the island are expecting to get their share of the visitors pie.
The competing triathletes are coming from 41 countries around the world.
The half ironman distance which offers a 1.9-kilometer swim, 40k bike, and 21k run will traverse Cebu’s premier cities namely Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City and will have its start and finish areas at the Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-lapu City.
Noted entries include last year’s champions Caroline Steffen of Switzerland and Australia’s Tim Reed along with Craig Alexander, Beth Gerdez, Luke McKenzie, Luke Van Berkel, Brent McMahon, Dimity Lee Duke, and more than a dozen pro triathletes.
Lapu-Lapu City earned the right to host the Asia Pacific Championships due to its superb hosting of the Cobra Ironman Philippines which drew rave reviews from participants.