The locals look to dominate the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa against a slew of foreign aces with the top finishers in the two half IM triathlon races this year all primed for a crack at the coveted overall championship.
Reagan Nabua and John Alcala, who placed third in the IM 70.3 Subic last March and in IM 70.3 Cebu last August, respectively, banner the huge international cast in the upcoming 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run event unfolding Nov. 13 in Palawan.
This marks the first time that the premier city will host the highly popular endurance race organized by the IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. with the local government ready and eager to welcome more than 1,200 participants from 26 nations and treat them to a weekend of festive atmosphere, scenic routes and local food.
“We take pride in the city’s natural beauty, beautiful places. Puerto Princesa is in the middle of the best island in the world,” said Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
Puerto Princesa is famous worldwide for its subterranean river national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven New Wonders of Nature.
The LGU, meanwhile, yesterday announced the road closures and detours eight days before the staging of the event on a course set up to international standards.
Meanwhile, Jailani Lalama, Abdul Toroganan, Yoejan Prudente, Mervin Santiago and Bohol 5150 champion Satar Salem are also all geared up for an exacting test of speed and staying power, all eyeing the overall championship in the event that drew triathletes from the US, Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan.
Listup is ongoing. For details, visit www.ironman.com/im703-puerto-princesa, puertoprincesa70.3@ironman.com, or www.ironman.com for brand and global event series.
Salem finished fourth both in Subic and Cebu with the veteran Lanao del Norte campaigner looking for another top podium finish in the season about to end after dominating the bike and run stages in Bohol 5150 last July.
Aside from the overall championship and individual age-group categories, other titles to be disputed in the event, backed by Active, Athletic Brewing Co., Breitling, Fulgaz, Gatorade, Hoka Fly Human Fly, Hyperice, Qatar Airways, ROKA, Santini, Vinfast, Wahoo, are the men’s and women’s relay and the mixed relay.
Meanwhile, seeking to crowd the locals from top honors are are top bets from Brazil, Thailand, the Netherlands, South Africa, Vietnam, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Turkey, Korea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Saint Lucia and Guatemala.
The event’s other backers are Always Advancing, Compressport, Ekoi, Outside, Sportograf.com, along with event partners Alaska, Lightwater, Prudential Guarantee, Rudy Project, Santé, One Sport, Cignal and The Philippine Star, while the event’s official hotels are Alvea Puerto Princesa, Costa Palawan Resort, Fersal Hotel, Go Hotels, Hotel Centro, HUE Hotel and Resorts, Jeamco Royal Hotel, Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa and Sunlight Hotel Puerto Princesa.