TIM Reed and Caroline Steffen started slowly but eventually asserted their will over the field to rule the 2016 Cobra IRONMAN 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship held in Cebu last weekend. Reed won his second consecutive IRONMAN 70.3 title in Cebu. Steffen has proven to be unbeatable with her fifth consecutive victory.
But the bigger story has been how do you grow an event of a then-niche sport like triathlon to become the country’s premiere sports spectacle of the year?
What started with a little over 500 participants in Camarines Sur eight years ago has grown to an international spectacle that drew 3,000 participants from 43 countries last weekend.
These included 35 elite professional triathletes, 2,869 equally determined competitors in the Filipino elite, CEOs, age groups and relay divisions. Interest was so high worldwide that when registration opened last October, the 2,900 slots available to the public were sold out in just 28 minutes.
Alaska Milk and Sunrise Events President and CEO Wilfred S. Uytengsu, organizer of Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines, says you first start with an objective of what you want to accomplish, execute that plan by staging your event and work like hell to improve every year.
Uytengsu said Cobra IRONMAN 70.3 started as a vision: A sports event which benefits the nation, involves the community where it is held, attracts the general public to participate and generates good habits among everyone especially the youth.
Uytengsu then tied up with a world class international organization and brought the IRONMAN brand to the Philippines.
Then he assembled a cast of the best triathletes in the world to come to the Philippines to join the races. He dealt with these pros honestly and fairly. They in turn gave their all-out effort and support for the event.
The participation of the best triathletes as well as the international brand of IRONMAN meant that the event had the necessary credibility and gravitas to not just attract the attention but also the respect of the public.
“It’s not every event where participants can toe the line with the best in their sport and that is a big come on for the age groupers whose numbers continue to increase every year,” said Uytengsu.
He then tied up with the provincial government and LGUs first in Camarines Sur and then in Cebu. The local volunteers, knowing that the event would help their communities, worked tirelessly and selflessly to ensure its success.
A familiar refrain of the athletes was the overwhelming response of the public to the race. Thousands lined the route along the five cities of Cebu province traversed by the participants. There was a festive fiesta atmosphere to the whole proceedings making it more than just a sports event and more a celebration of the sights and sounds of Metro Cebu.
According to Uytengsu the biggest single factor which ensured the success of the Cobra Ironman Philippines is the uniqueness of Philippine hospitality where everyone welcomes strangers warmly like long-lost relatives.
“Honestly this event has grown beyond all my expectations. But in my 30 years in business and in work I always had one credo: Good enough, never is. There will always be something that we can do better.
“My gratitude goes out to everyone who has been part of this IronMan. It has been such a privilege to be part of all this,” said Uytengsu.
The Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship race was viewed worldwide live via streaming on www.ironman.com, courtesy of Globe.
Even celebrities eagerly participated including Dingdong Dantes, Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, Anthony Pangilinan, Gretchen Fullido, Bubbles Paraiso, Ella Pangilian, Sam YG, Xander Angeles, Ivan Carapiet, Kim Atienza, Paul Jake Castillo, Gilbert Remulla and Dyan Castillejo.
Other sponsors of the event are Alaska Milk, Philippine Airlines, Summit Water, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, 2Go Express, Asics, Gatorade, Prudential Guarantee, Oakley, Timex, David’s Salon, Intercare, Gu gel, Kenneth Cobonpue, Megaworld Mactan Newtown, Sun Life Financial, TYR, technology partner Xurpas and official hotels Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, Be Resorts Mactan, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Waterfront Hotel and Casino Mactan and Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu.
