Cobra IronMan draws world’s finest

LAPU LAPU, Cebu, Philippines - – The Cobra IronMan 70.3 Philippines fires off tomorrow with a record field of 2,600 from 40 countries vying in what promises to be a gut-wrenching test of speed and stamina among the world’s leading and rising triathletes at the Mactan beach here.

Australian Pete Jacobs and Caroline Steffen of Switzerland head the elite cast in the keenly awaited event with the former seeking to regain the title he lost to countryman Courtney Atkinson in last year’s staging after winning the men’s elite event for three straight years. The Swiss bet, on the other hand, is eyeing a third straight women’s elite championship.

Kicking off the action-packed weekend is the Alaska IronKids Philippines today with over 170 participants aged six-to-14 years old taking center stage in the event that has become part of the annual triathlon festivities since 2010.

“The sport has grown tremendously in the Philippines but we are also attracting triathletes from all over the world with over 40 countries and all seven continents represented for this year’s event,” said Alaska Milk and Sunrise Events, Inc. president and CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu in yesterday’s press conference at the posh Shangri-La Hotel.

In fact, all slots for both races have been filled out in just four hours after they were offered to the public early in the year, beating last year’s mark of four days.

Craig Alexander, a two-time winner of the IronMan World Championship in 2007 and 2010 and the 2012 Long Distance world champion, is also in the fold along with other contenders Cameron Brown of New Zealand, Fredrick Cronberg of Sweden and Michael Murphy of Ireland.

Steffen, who represents the Alaska Tri-Aspire Team, faces a tough challenge from 2011 champion and 2012 runner up Belinda Granger of Australia, last year’s second placer Bree Wee and Katya Meyers of the United States, Katya Rave of Germany, Dimity Lee Duke, Rebecca Hoschke and Michelle Wu of Australia and Monica Torres, the country’s lone entry in the Open division. 

Meanwhile, the Alaska IronKids Phl has become a venue for children seeking to pursue their dreams to become top athletes and in the process, develop values like determination, hard work, teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship.

Early yesterday, Jacobs, Steffen, Meyers, Granger, Alaska Tri-Aspire Team coach Matt O’Halloran and team members Jenny Guerrero and Banjo Norte joined Alaska Ironkids Phl participants in the “Gatas for Breakfast” program, a milk-drinking activity for less-fortunate kids of Mactan Elementary School.

The event is sponsored by Alaska Milk Corp., Aqua Sphere, Asia Miles, Cathay Pacific, Century Tuna, David’s Salon, Devant, Gatorade, Globe Telecom, GU Energy Gel, Intercare, Kenneth Cobonpue, Asics, 2Go, Oakley, Pinkberry, Prudential Guarantee, Safeguard, Suarez and Sons, Inc., Timex, Finisher Pix and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resorts and Spa.

The Philippine STAR, MultiSport Magazine and ABS-CBN Sports Action are media partners with BE Resorts, Crimson Resort and Spa, Movenpick Resort and Spa and Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino as hotel partners.