LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – High-level triathlon – a staple in the Queen City of the South the past five years – will get even bigger and better next year with the hosting of Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship.
Ironman yesterday announced the country has been tapped to host the continent’s swim-bike-run showpiece in the 70.3 distance on Aug. 7, 2016 in Cebu, which will actually begin a rotation cycle throughout AsPac.
“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,” Geoff Meyer, chief executive officer for Ironman Asia-Pacific, announced yesterday.
“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.”’
Ironman’s long-time partner in the Philippines, Sunrise Events, Inc., welcomed the good news and promised to live up to the task.
“We are extremely proud to have been selected as the host for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, president and chairman of Sunrise, which operates Ironman 70.3 Subic, 5150 Subic Bay and 5150 Bohol.
“We intend to stage our best event yet which will coincide with our fifth anniversary in Cebu and our eighth year in partnership with Ironman. We look forward to welcoming everyone with our trademark Filipino hospitality,” he said.
The continent’s best and brightest are expected to come over for the $75,000 tournament, which will also offer 30 age-group qualifying slots for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
The awarding of the hosting rights was made just before top pros and a record 2,618 triathletes plunge into action in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, adding up to the excitement of the triathlon community.