Some 900 triathletes signed up for the first-ever Century Tuna Ironman Philippines happening next year, June 3 in Subic. Of the 900, about 500 are Filipino triathletes whose battlecry will be “Maging Ironman sa Sariling Bayan” (Be an ironman in your own country).
Because the organizing Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) is targeting 1,000 participants for the first-ever ironman race here, there are still 100 slots available not only for Filipinos but also for triathletes coming from other countries.
SEI general manager Princess Galura said that registration will only be closed when the 1,000 slots are sold.
Ever since SEI organized the first half ironman otherwise known as ironman 70.3 here in the Philippines, the clamor for an ironman here has been building.
Year after year, SEI CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. is always asked when will be the first ironman here. SEI finally relented to organize one next year to celebrate its 10th year anniversary.
According to Galura, they are limiting the participants to only a thousand because they want to provide each participant a special experience, a trademark of the half ironmans that SEI have been organizing in the Philippines for nine years now.
Aside from opening the online registration early on Tuesday, August 1, SEI also set up an online registration station at the New World Makati Hotel wherein some 250 people showed up to register for the event.
“It was a gathering of athletes to register online together, to make a commitment to join the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines on June 3, 2018,” Galura explained of the gathering at the New World Makati Hotel.
Pro triathletes are also expected to compete in the event and they will be separate from the 1,000 slots that SEI is targeting. Galura, however, said they do not have the numbers yet for the pros.
SEI decided to hold the event in Subic mainly because the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) would allow them to hold the 180-kilometer bike ride in just two loops.
The race will also take participants at the Triboa Bay for the 3.8-kilometer ocean swim and the roads which offer the best views of Subic Bay for the 42.2-kilometer run in two loops, which ends the race.
The grueling race only has one category — the individual. Participants can either choose to join as a pro or as an age-grouper. There will be no relay category.
There is no other best chance for the Filipinos to try their hand at becoming an ironman than via the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines wherein your family and friends can cheer for you on the sidelines.
“They can bring their whole family in Subic and it will be cheaper,” added Galura.
Since there are still 100 slots available, interested participants can avail of the early registration fee of US$650 until August 30, 2017. The normal rate of US$700 will be applied from September 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018 while US$800 will be charged to a late registrant from March 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018. Provided, there are still slots available in those periods.
SEI has been organizing ironman 70.3s here in the Philippines since 2009. They held it in Camsur for the first three years (2009-2011) then on the island of Cebu for the last five years from 2012.
This year’s Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, the 9th all-in-all, will be held on Sunday, August 6.
