Rotary Corporate Triathlon set June 11 in Lapu-Lapu

Officers of Rotary Club of Cebu pose after the press launching of Rotary Corporate Triathlon, which will be held on June 11 in Lapu-Lapu City.
CDN PHOTO/GLENDALE G. ROSAL

Described as a perfect tune-up race for this year’s much-awaited Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines, the inaugural edition of the Rotary Corporate Triathlon will fire off on June 11 in Lapu-Lapu City.

The race will serve as a good preparation for triathletes who are set to compete in the Ironman on August 6 as the event almost have the similar routes.

The Rotary Corporate Triathlon, organized by the Rotary Club of Cebu, will start and end at the Mactan New Town’s beach front, a few hundred meters from the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines’ official venue, the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

Bernard Von Sia, the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Cebu, said the swim as well as the run route of the race is very similar to the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

The race will feature a 1.6-kilometer swim, 50k bike and 10k run within Lapu-Lapu City.

“This race has very similar route with the Cobra Ironman 70.3, it’s perfect for aero bikes or triathlon bikes, perfect for beginners because the route is flat and I’m proud to say that our run’s route will pass through the Lapu-Lapu Shrine which is a very scenic view for our fellow triathletes,” said Sia in a press conference yesterday at the Casino Español.

Sia said he coordinated with the organizers of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 and the Tabuelan 111 Triathlon to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Sia said the Tabuelan 111 Triathlon was moved from June to September, giving them a chance to draw more participants.

“Although it’s already a triathlon season leading to August’s Cobra Ironman 70.3, we want to reiterate that we don’t want to compete with any races, what we want to do is to help out kids with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and give triathletes a well-deserved tune-up race,” added Sia.

The race is aiming to raise a P3.5 million to help 18 children with CHD. Each surgery costs around P100,000 to P300,000.

“We want to encourage triathletes and fellow Rotarians to join or help us out in giving these children a chance to live their life,” said Bing Martinez, the incoming president of Rotary Club of Cebu.

The race will award the top three elite male and female finishers with cash prizes while trophies awaits the top three finishers in the age group and the top three teams in the corporate team challenge.

Some 120 triathletes have enlisted for the upcoming race.

Organizers are hoping to draw 300 triathletes.

Registration fee for the individual category is P4,000, P8,000 for the relay and P20,000 for the five plus one package and the team challenge.

The package can be availed for every four male and one female triathlete in every group or team plus one free slot in every group. To register, one may visit any leading bike shops around the city or visit www.rotarycebu.org.