Ironman Cebu offers 25 slots for world c’ship

The Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines will offer 25 slots for this year’s edition of the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas Nevada for the Cebu leg’s age-group winners.

Princess Galura of the organizing Sunrise Events Inc. said that the slots will be given to those who will qualify on Aug. 5. She said that if an athlete will not take his slot, it will automatically go to the person next in rank.

Last year’s edition of the Cobra Ironman also gave out slots to the Ironman World Championships in Kona Hawaii.

This development opens the door to local triathletes to gain these slots since most of them are competing in the age-group categories.

Galura also said that chances are slim for the about 400 athletes on the waiting list to join the 1,700 field on Aug. 5 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. She said their only chance to get in is when someone who is officially registered withdraws.

She said participants are expected to be in Manila on Aug. 1 and fly to Cebu the next day.

She assured that all professional Ironman contenders will be here on Aug. 3 for the “Meet the Pros” press conference.

2009 Formula One World Champion Jenson Button is also invited to the presscon at the Shangri-La’s The Marquee said Galura but added that she cannot confirm his attendance.

She clarified that he is here as a participant and that they can’t force him to attend the press conference.

PREPARATION

With less than two weeks to go before race day, Galura said that Cebu is very ready to hold the event even it will be held tomorrow.

However, as an organizer, it is a must to go by their check list every day until the big day itself.

Come race day, Galura hopes for a sunny weather as rains will create havoc despite preparations for such an eventuality.

Galura said that their biggest concern is the swimming segment because that is where something might happen which might not be immediately noticed by the marshals.

She said that in most cases, the only time that organizers will know if something bad has happened is when there is a discrepancy in the number of participants going in the water and coming out.

She said this is the reason why all are mandated to be on full alert during the swimming segment.