Legends to grace Century Tuna full Ironman

LOCAL triathlon fans get a chance to see and mingle with Ironman legends Dave Scott of the US and Craig Alexander in a rare appearance of two of the sport’s most recognizable figures at the Shangri-La at The Fort on Thursday.

Scott and Alexander will be on hand to share their exploits, including highlights of their illustrious careers and at the same time give tips and pointers to the wannabes, enthusiasts, weekend runners and regular triathlon campaigners in a twohour meet-and-greet session from 4 p.m.

Scott, who earned the moniker “The Man” for his record six Ironman World Championship title in Kona, Hawaii, was the first to be inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame while Alexander was a three-time world champion and the course record holder for the Ironman World Championship.

Both are now into coaching, guiding a number of future triathlon champions.

They hope to inspire the athletes in what has long been considered as the triathlon capital in Asia with the two legends’ presence likewise to generate interest in the run-up to the first Century Tuna full Ironman slated Sunday in Subic.

In fact, Scott and Alexander will also head to the race site this weekend to be with the participants, numbering to 1,278 triathletes, all hoping to complete the firstever full triathlon in the country..

Eight-hundred thirty three local triathletes banner the huge field in the centerpiece event which drew bets from 47 countries, including 78 each from China and Japan, 54 from the US, 47 from Singapore and 29 from Australia with Great Britain and Northern Ireland fielding in a combined 18-triathlete delegation and Korean sending in 16.

Other backers of the event are venue hosts Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and ACEA Subic Bay, bike leg racing partner NLEX and SCTEX, courier and logistics partner Black Arrow Express, footwear sponsor Hoka One One, hydration partners Gatorade and Aquafina, swim cap TYR, energy gel Gu and bike mechanics Storck.