If schoolchildren line the streets in Lapu-Lapu City today to cheer on athletes in the Ironman 70.3 races, they will have to bring umbrellas.
Continuous rain is forecast from morning till afternoon but that won’t stop 2,150 triathletes from competing in the international sports event that tests their endurance in swimming, biking and running.
Since a sunny Sunday is not on the agenda, the host city of Lapu-Lapu will have to make up for the bad weather with extra hospitality.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has promised to duplicate last year’s warm reception by fielding 23,000 elementary and high school students along the race routes where runners will pass through five barangays in Mactan.
“We will have at least 25,000 cheerers along the race route,” she said during the launching of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines last July 2.
In the waters fronting the Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa where athletes will swim, paddle boats or bancas with colorful flags will have drum beaters on board to accompany the participants.
A total of 75 “vintas” will sail along the 19-kilometer swim course to add to the revelry as well as compete in a contest for the best-looking boat.
A sudden downpour yesterday forced organizers to cancel part of the Alaska IronKids Triathlon about 8 a.m.
Dark storm clouds bringing rain drenched the youngsters and the wind picked up.
Participants in the 6 to 8 age group and the 9 to 10 category were disappointed that they weren’t able finish their fun race.
The decision to cancel came about 30 minutes before the second wave of athletes in these two age groups were supposed to be released.
Race director Ani de Leon-Brown said she made the decision to cancel the remaining categories for the safety of the youths.
HOT RACE
Tropical weather – heat and high humidity – is what organizers told athletes to expect in Cebu, which is hosting the Ironman 70.3 for its second straight year. Camarines Sur was the event host for three years before that.
Defending champion Pete Jacobs of Australia has returned to Cebu aiming for his fourth straight victory at the race and a preparation for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
“This race is perfect to get a feel and reminder of what a hot race really feels like. I then use these memories in my training for Hawaii to visualize how it will feel, and prepare myself mentally to be stronger for those hot conditions” he said in an interview in the Ironman.com website.
Having raced here for all four years of the “half-Ironman”, Jacobs is a familiar figure to Filipino sports enthusiasts and and fans.
“This race is unique in that it showcases the country and it’s famous traits all in one experience,” said Jacobs.
He cited the rich marine life in the swim course of the Hilutungan Channel of Mactan and “famous Filipino hospitality”, recalling how the bike course was lined with thousands of spectators.
A holiday after the races is another reason many participants signed up for the Cobra Ironman 70.3, where available slots were all booked within four days from posting the schedules on line.
“Last year after the race, I spent hours in the water out the front of the hotel watching marine life, and a group of us went and swam with whale sharks at another location,” said Jacobs, referring to whale shark watching in Oslob town in south Cebu.
“There’s so many incredible experiences here, it’s one of my favorite trips each year. That’s why Jaimie and I are back for our fifth time!” Jacobs said.
A total of 1,800 athletes and 122 relay teams will take part in the races. Most of them come from the Philippines but representatives from over 30 countries makes the international event a solid bid for Cebu in sports tourism.
Security will be provided by over 1,000 policemen, tanods and ROTC cadets along the race courses that cover cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay.
The first wave of athletes will start at 6:25 a.m. with a 1.9 kilometer swim from Shangri-la resort. Upon return, they continue with a 90-kilometer bike ride from Lapu-Lapu to the South Road Properties in Talisay City then turn around and go back to the resort where they finish with a 21-kilometer run through five barangays of Lapu-Lapu. /With CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL/MARS G. ALISON