Local triathletes still want Ironman in Cebu

Bohol, Palawan come next as preferred venues

Chris Aldeguer

With the three-year extension of Cebu’s hosting of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines all but a foregone conclusion, Cebu Daily News (CDN) asked some local triathletes if they’d still want the country’s premier triathlon to be held in their own backyard for the next three years or have it somewhere else.

Cebu took over the hosting job in 2012 after Camarines Sur which hosted the race from 2009-2011. The move to Cebu saw the Ironman grow by leaps and bounds.

From a mere 583 triathletes signing up in its debut in 2009 in CamSur, the Ironman this year has attracted a record 2,500 entrants from 40 countries.

The Cebu event was also adjudged by the World Triathlon Corp., owner of the Ironman franchise, as the second best race in the entire world, second only to the Quebec, Canada event.

CDN asked some local triathletes  their take about the planned extension as well as their preferred venue if the race  is to be held elsewhere.
Davao, Puerto Princesa, and Legaspi City have expressed interest in hosting the event.

LOUIE VILLACIN
For three-time finisher Louie Villacin, Cebu is already a perfect venue for the Ironman.

“Okay man kaayo diri sa Cebu especially karon nga year nga mas challenging ang bike course kay multiple loops. Pero nag worry lang jud ko sa bad condition sa roads. If maayo ni sa organizers, agree jud ko nga ma extend ang hosting sa Cebu. Aside sa Cebu akong ganahan mo host ang Bohol, nindot sad didto,” said Villacin who will be making her debut in the Filipino Elite division.

KIMBERLY DACAY
Like Villacin, Kimberly Dacay’s main concern is the bad condition of the roads in the bike race. “I hope they will fix the road near the port area. I understand that the area is having road constructions but I don’t know what will the foreign participants say about it. But I prefer that the race will stay here in Cebu because the inconvenience is just temporary. I hope they will choose Bohol as the next host because that place also has a lot to offer,” said Dacay who will be joining the 25-29 years old division.

TYRONE TAN
Meanwhile, CEO Division defending champion, Tyrone Tan, wants Subic or Palawan as the next venue although he said Cebu is still a great host. This Sunday will be Tan’s sixth Ironman race and he said the event enjoyed tremendous growth when Cebu took over although he echoed the same concern about dilapidated roads. “Organizers must fix this problem so that participants especially the foreigners will come back,” said Tan adding that Cebu’s edge is its accessability to the airport, malls and hotels.

CHRIS ALDEGUER
For businessman Chris Aldeguer, the flights, hotels and entertainment in Cebu would be hard to beat although he said it would also be interesting to have the Ironman held in other places like Palawan. “I hear that Palawan is an option, but I don’t think any other place can sell as fast as Cebu. The only downside in Cebu is the bike course,” he said.