Star-studded Cobra Ironman unfolds in Cebu

LAPU LAPU CITY, Cebu, Philippines  – The country’s leading triathletes brace for a showdown with the world’s best as the fourth Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines blasts off tomorrow in a race of endurance that will start and end at the beachfront of the posh Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa here.

Back-to-back men’s champion Pete Jacobs of Australia, representing Alaska Milk, and reigning women’s champion Belinda Granger, also from Down Under, set out to defend their respective crowns against a bigger and tougher field in this one-day race that made a big jump from Camsur to this premier island province.

Alaska Milk Corp. president and CEO Fred Uytengsu, through the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., said Cebu’s hosting the event was long time coming.

“I was really from Cebu and when I left, my heart stayed in Cebu so it’s but natural that we bring the Cobra Ironman 70.3 here,” said Uytengsu in yesterday’s press conference at the Shangri-La Expo tent.

Uytengsu was joined in the media briefing by host Gov. Gwen Garcia, Lapu Lapu Mayor Paz Radaza, Daryl Herbert of the Ironman 70.3 brand owner World Triathlon Corp., Cobra Energy Drink brand manager Jay Mendoza and Shangri-La’s Reto Klauser.

Also gracing the event was Cebu-based Kenneth Cobonpue, a world-renowned furniture designer with popular clients like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt who designed a unique medal that will be up for grabs in the event.

Formula One star Jenson Button spices up the competing field together with girlfriend Japanese fashion and lingerie model Jessica Michibata, who will compete in the relays alongside Cebuano tennis legend and newspaper columnist John Page.

Button quietly flew in as early as last Wednesday, bringing with him a long list of F1 triumphs, including one in 2009 for McLaren.

Focus, however, will be on the fancied Aussie champions, who are out to score a repeat.

“It will come down to the run as my weapon hopefully again,” said Jacobs, whose other notable victories came in the 2012 Huskisson Long Course Race and 2011 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

“I’ve always want to win here because I consider this event very special,” said the 40-year-old Granger, whose other triumphs came in the 2012 Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon in Subic Bay, 2011 Geelong Long Course, 2011 Ironman 70.3 Japan.

Out to foil their bid are Swiss Caroline Steffen, Amanda Stevens of the US, Australia’s Ali Fitch and Michelle Wu, New Zealand’s Cameron Brown, Hong Kong’s Erich Felbael and Sweden’s Frederick Cronenborg.

Heading the local challenge are Neil Catiil, Arland Macasieb and Noy Jopson as well as Dan Brown and Matthieu O’Halloran, who are now based in the country.

The event, slated over key cities in Cebu starting with host Lapu Lapu before passing through Mandaue, Cebu City and Talisay, drew a record more than 1,500 participants, including 1,340 individual and 125 relay entries, plus about 20 pros.

Other backers of the event are Alaska Milk Corp., Century Tuna, David’s Salon, Intercare, K-Swiss, Oakley, Timex and Powerade with Multi-Sports magazine, The Philippine STAR, Studio 23, BE Resorts, Crimson Resort & Spa, Finisher Prix, Shangri-La, Movenpick and Radisson Blu as other partners.