CEBU, Philippines - They're the big boss in their respective companies. All are highly esteemed business executives who are very active in sports, specifically triathlon, to keep themselves fit and mentally sharp. Aside from nurturing a healthy lifestyle, they are also a regular fixture in this highly competitive and physically demanding sport.
Their athletic capacities will once again be tested as they try to outdo each other in the CEO division of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines on August 2 at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
Led by no less than Geoff Meyer of Australia, the Chief Executive Officer of Ironman Asia Pacific, a total of seven CEOs will see action in the keenly-awaited event that is touted as the “gold standard of races in the Asia Pacific region.”
The entry of Meyer is surely an added pressure to the organizers, who will bid for the hosting of next year's Ironman Asia Pacific Championships.
Tom Navasero of PHILAB Industries, Inc., a pioneer in laboratory design, manufacturing and installation, is back to defend his crown. He will be challenged by last year's runner-up David Charlton of David's Salon, and 2013 champion Tyrone Tan, a Cebuano who is at the reins of Tyrone Property Realty and Development Corp.
The other contenders in the exclusive category are American Bryce Maddock of TaskUs, a US-based customer care and back office support company, Engr. Francis Miguel of AIM Global, Inc., a multi-level networking company based in the country, and of course, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of the Alaska Milk
Corporation who is also the President and CEO of Sunrise Events, Inc., the lead organizer of the race.
A record-number 6,214 participants from 52 countries all over the world are set to take part in this much sought-after race where slots got sold-out within 40 minutes from registration opening.
It has also attracted the deepest field of PROs to ever compete in a Philippine triathlon race. World champions Craig “Crowie” Alexander and Pete “PJ” Jacobs, both from Australia, and defending Cobra Ironman champions Brent McMahon of Canada and Caroline Steffen of Switzerland banner the formidable list of PRO lineup.
The other Ironman big shots include Luke McKenzie, Clayton Fettell, Michael Murphy, Justin Granger, Stef Puszka, Michelle Wu, Sam Betten, Tim Van Berkel, Dimity Lee-Duke, Tim Reed, Derek Cross and Belinda Granger of Australia, Bree Wee and Beth Gerdes of the US, Cameron Brown of New Zealand, Nick Baldwin of Seychelles, Carole Fuchs of France, and Kathryn Haesner of Germany.
For the fourth straight year, the province of Cebu and the city of Lapu-Lapu plays host to a festive sporting extravaganza. Lapu-Lapu's pristine beach will be the swim venue where participants will get to experience the new “rolling swim start” and the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay form part of the bike course which features the “M” loop, similar to that of the 2013 edition.
In the days leading to the race proper, participating triathletes as well as the guests are set to experience a world-class Triathlon Expo, the biggest in Asia-Pacific with over 36 exhibitors.
The half-Ironman distance triathlon, also known as the Ironman 70.3, is among the world's most exciting races, attracting hundreds of thousands of athletes and supporters year-round.
The event also serves as qualifying race for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Sunshine Coast, Australia where 40 age-group qualifying slots will be at stake. For more details, one may visit www.ironman703phil.com. (FREEMAN)