Kiwi, Brit seek history as first full IRONMAN unwraps
ONE thousand five hundred and 52 fearless triathletes test their limits in the ultimate challenge of physical test and mental toughness as Century Tuna holds the first- ever full IRONMAN Philippines in Subic today.
While majority would aim to at least complete the grueling 3.8k swim, 180k bike and 42k run race that could stretch late into the night, the likes of Cameron Brown of New Zealand and Liz Blatchford of Great Britain will be going for the bragging rights as the first full IRONMAN Philippines winner with an eye on slots in the World Championship in Hawaii in October.
Blatchford, the British-born, Australia-raised athlete and twice third placer in the World Championship, said she’s also doing it for his kid.
“Obviously, she (one-year-old child) has taken over my main concern and passion. I questioned whether I would come back. I gave it a few months and I was back into it. She’s going to be at the finish line and it’s very special to have them (husband and child) at the end,” said Blatchford.
Meanwhile, a total of 333 athletes are also slugging it out in the IRONMAN 70.3, which also offers 25 slots in the World
Championship at the Nelson Mandela Bay in South, Africa this September.
Ironman legends Dave Scott and Craig Alexander had earlier stressed the need for the competitors to display mental toughness, not just physical strength, to survive the punishing race that drew bets from 47 countries with each participant given 17 hours to finish the entire course.
The Phl is fielding in 833 entries in the centerpiece event, which also drew 78 triathletes each from China and Japan, 54 from the US, 47 from Singapore and 29 from Australia. Great Britain and Northern Ireland have a combined 18-triathlete delegation while Korea has 16 bets in the event backed by Century Tuna, which is putting up the first full Ironman in the country after successfully staging three 5150 and three 70.3 events.
The first full IRONMAN, organized and produced by Sunrise Events, Inc. and presented by Alaska, Tourism Promotions Board and Department of Tourism, also serves as a fitting event for SEI’s 10th anniversary celebrations and a decade of Ironman staging in the country.
Spicing up the blue-ribbon event was the
IronKids and the Century Tuna Super Bods Underpants Run held early yesterday where over 350 youngsters took part in the former at the WOW Recreation and Activity Center and hundreds more participated in the latter’s fun run.
Out to foil Brown, a 12-time Ironman NZ champion and two-time Hawaii Ironman runnerup, are Seychelles’ Nick Baldwin, Kiwi Simon Cochraine, this year’s Ironman Taiwan third-placer, Lithuania’s Alex Kochetkov, Philippine-based coach Dan Brown of Australia, Austria’s Freddy Lampret and Spain’s Eneko Elosegui.
Blatchford, on the other hand, will go up against Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao third placer Dimity Lee Duke of Australia, compatriot Alise Selsmark, Jana Candrova of Czeh Republic, and Erin Furness, Julia Grant and Simone Maier of New Zealand.
Participants in the full distance race will tackle a 1.9k swim course twice at ACEA beach before heading to SCTEX for a two-loop 180k ride on flat roads then back to Subic where they will traverse a 42.2k two-loop run with the coast as backdrop.
Finishers will then receive the“Alab ng Puso” medal crafted by noted sculptor Daniel dela Cruz with the lace created by the weavers from Marawi City.
For updates, visit www.ironmanphilippines.com and www.ironman.com/ subicbay703 for Ironman 70.3 with official hashtags #IRONMANph, #CenturyTunaIM or ironmanph on facebook and twitter.
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, bike mechanics Storck;
David’s Salon, Intercare and Prudential Guarantee (major sponsors), Hyper HD on Cignal, The Philippine Star, Trilife,Asiatri.com and Finisherpix (media partners), Alcoplus, Cetaphil, Devant, Ford, PLDT, Regent, Sanicare and Timex (marketing sponsors), Active Network (registration partner), and ACEA, Best Western Plus, Court Meridian, The Lighthouse, Mansion Garden Hotel, The Villas, Subic Bay Peninsular, Subic Bay Yacht Club and Subic Holiday Villas (official hotels).