First in Asia Cebu hosting Ironman 70.3 in the Asia Pacific

CEBU, Philippines -  After being named as the “crown jewel of Asia” as far as triathlon racing is concerned, the Philippines, Cebu in particular, has been awarded the right to host the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships, which heads for the first time to Asia next year.

Geoff Meyer, Chief Executive Officer for Ironman Asia-Pacific, said in an official statement that as a result of the substantial growth of triathlon and the Ironman brand in the Asia Pacific, they will begin an annual rotation of the most sought-after race throughout the region starting with the Ironman 70.3 Philippines next year in Cebu.

“It’s an exciting time for the sport of triathlon in Asia-Pacific. With our ongoing expansion in Asia that includes 14 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events combined with tens of thousands of athletes living and competing in the region – it’s the right time to host a championship race here,” Meyer said.

“Cebu also hosted the successful Ironman 70.3 Philippines triathlon for the past five years – and will provide our athletes a beautiful and challenging championship course.”

Picking Cebu as host continues Ironman's long-standing partnership with Sunrise Events, Inc., the Philippines’ leading sporting event company, which operates Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay, 5150 Subic Bay, and 5150 Bohol.

So impressed with the way Sunrise Events work things out that there's no stopping the World Triathlon Championships from selecting the Queen City of the South to stage the prestigious event despite some road repairs mostly in Mandaue City and next year's national elections. And from 500 entries in its inaugural staging in Camarines Sur, the Ironman 70.3 Philippines has grown to close to 3,000 participants this year.

Wilfred “Fred” Steven Uytengsu Jr., president and chairman of Sunrise Events, expressed his excitement at Cebu hosting the prestigious meet.

“We are extremely proud to have been selected as the host for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship,” said Uytengsu, who is also the president of Alaska Milk Corporation.

 “We intend to stage our best event yet which will coincide with our five-year anniversary in Cebu and our eighth year in partnership with Ironman. We look forward to welcoming everyone with our trademark Filipino hospitality.”

In his conservative estimate, Uytengsu said Cebu can generate an income of about $7 million to $8 million from the event set for August 7, 2016 still at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa.

"Our estimate is that we will bring in probably $7-8 million to the local economy just that one weekend. I look at this amazing crowd and the professional triathletes in front of me and this is going to be more than double come August of 2016. We will have the world's best to represent triathlon here," said Uytengsu.

The 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship will offer a $75,000 professional prize purse and 30 age-group qualifying slots for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. (FREEMAN)