Ironman 70.3 Philippines today at Camsur

MORE THAN 50 triathlete members of the Sugbu Triathlon will have a chance to clinch a slot to the prestigious Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii on Oct. 8 as they see action in today’s 3rd edition of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Camarines Sur.

The Camsur Ironman was made a qualifying for the Ironman World Championship by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). Some 30 slots have been awarded to the Camsur Ironman after the Ironman China was cancelled.

Leading Cebu’s charge will be 2009 Camsur Filipino elite champion Noy Jopson and top Cebuana triathlete Lorhiz Echavez.

Jopson earlier expressed optimism about the chances of Cebuanos and the rest of the Filipinos to qualify for the world championship. But he admitted that it would be a very stiff battle among the women contenders.

To name a few Cebuanos also competing are former top swimmer Ralph Arche, who is now the president of Sugbu Triathlon; Jopson’s wife Amale, also a former top triathlete; Matteo Guidicelli and top runner Mendel Lopez.

Today’s Camsur Ironman is expected to be another star-studded event with many world class triathletes returning to join the competition.

The men’s field will be led by defending champion Pete Jacobs, Cameron Brown, Luke Gilmer, Justin Granger, Erich Felbabel, Jesse Thomas and Dan Brown.

The female professionals seeing action will include Amanda Stevens, Belinda Granger, Katya Meyers and Bree Wee. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON