SUGBU Triathlon, headed by Ralph Arche, has made its plans of spearheading Team Cebu in the inaugural 70.3 Ironman Cebu into a reality.
Team Cebu will have 50 Cebuano triathletes who have registered for this year’s 70.3 IM Cebu. Its goal is to unite Cebuano triathletes from different teams for the biggest triathlon race in the country.
Arche said in an e-mail that registration for Team Cebu is still open. But only a few slots are left.
The idea for one team for Cebuanos was taken from Team Camsur, a squad comprised of triathletes of Camarines Sur backed by Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte. The team competed in the 70.3 IM Philippines hosted by Camsur.
Arche said that Team Cebu is a “collective effort of the different triathlon clubs in Cebu.” They will be pushing for it with or without the support of the local government units.
The idea was mulled last December and came into fruition after a series of meetings among the representatives of triathlon teams in Cebu.
Members of Team Cebu will get a customized trisuit and a shirt.
Starting next month, the team will have a triathlon simulation and group training sessions. A two- to three-day triathlon camp is also being planned.
Registration will be a first come, first serve basis and anyone interested could log on to sugbutriathlon.com until April 23.
A team might also be formed for Cebuano kids who will be competing in the Ironkids this August. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON