Organizers 100 percent ready for 70.3 Iron Man

Organizers say Cebu is all geared up for the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines on Aug. 5 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Half Ironman race director Guy Concepcion said that on a scale of 1 to 10, Cebu’s preparedness for the event is rated at 10.

“We cannot be happier with all the support given by Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cebu City and Talisay City,” Concepcion said, who also mentioned the help given by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and her staff. “We are truly happy for all the support,”

Cebuano pride Noy Jopson, who holds the Philippine record for both the full and half Ironman, expressed concerns about the roads which will be used for the 90-kilometer biking segment of the event. But Concepcion said the road will be fixed before the race day.

Concepcion also said that each leg of the race will have dozens of marshals on hand who are knowledgeable about the sport of triathlon. Majority of the marshals will come from Cebu and they will undergo briefing before the race day.

He also assured that there will be ample hydration and medical stations all throughout the race.

“The race organizers are responsible overall for every aspect, with the support of all LGUs involved,” Concepcion said.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has instructed the city’s health officer to coordinate with the race organizer to ensure that medical assistance is on standby for any emergencies.

According to Concepcion, “there are always concerns up until race day but with good preparation and planning, any trouble will have good solutions.”

During the race day, tourists police will also be assigned in Shangri-la to provide security for the about 4,000 participants and spectators expected to converge in the area.

The mayor also ordered the city traffic management service with the assistance of the barangay captains to strictly implement the road closure along the race route to prevent any accident.

Concepcion also announced the modification to the routes in the swimming and running segments.

In the swimming leg, instead of two loops, it will now be just one loop starting from Shangri-La, onwards to Movenpick and Portofino before looping back to Shangri-La.

The running leg will now have participants going inside the two Robinsons properties—Blue Coast and Amisa in Punta Engano.