SUBIC FREEPORT—It was fun before the storm on a sizzling hot Saturday with bodies of all sizes and shapes grabbing the spotlight in the Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run held in front of the Subic Yacht Club here.
It was a three-kilometer fun race among enthusiasts, guests, and participants before the back-breaking, intense Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 which unfurls today (Sunday).
Among those who have been taking the Underpants race “more seriously” was former Ironman multi-titlist Belinda Granger, who wore a sizzling, bunny costume for her second-year stint.
“It’s now the most important event for me,’ she said smiling although it looked as if she wasn’t kidding at all.
“Even when I was a professional athlete, the most important thing for me is to have fun. We do this because we love it and that’s the first and foremost. And so, this sort of thing brings out the fun and at the same time to exercise, it’s a perfect combination,” the 46 -year-old Aussie, who had won 15 in more than 50 iron-distance triathlon events.
“I’d love to see it (Underpants Run) every year to grow bigger and bigger.”
Granger, who continues to train at lesser extent just to keep herself fit, is now part of Sunrise Events doing live updates and giving inspirational talks to age-group athletes.
The Underpants Run is actually a traditional side event at Ironman Word Championship in Kona, Hawaii. It was incorporated in last year’s Century Tuna Ironman and the success it generated has prodded the organizers to make it bigger this year.
Also making the side event more interesting and colorful was the participation of Century Tuna’s Superbods finalists.
Winning the best costume award were Nicky Nava, Mimi Ulit, Dennis Borbolla and TG Geronimo, who wore skimpy angels attire.
The original idea was for them to wear angels and devils costumes in pair. “Pero we decided na lang na angels kami lahat then ang undies namin devilish naman.”
It was their first time to join the event and they don’t see any reason not to do it again next year.
“Sasali po ulit kami,” confessed Nava, who trains under Team Tri Nur in Manila.