Ironman race generally peaceful: officials
LOCAL authorities in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu said the holding of this year’s Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia Pacific Championship was generally peaceful.
Except for minor injuries involving the participants, police in three cities did not encounter any major race-related incident yesterday.
In Mandaue City, a cyclist fell off his bike and was promptly brought to a private hospital.
Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Director Senior Supt. Roberto Alanas said the medical team immediately responded and brought the athlete to the University of Cebu Medical Center.
The athlete sustained injury in his head, said Alanas.
In Cebu City, Nagiel Bañacia of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said no major road accident related to Ironman was reported to the city’s command and control center.
Alanas said around 5,000 spectators, including Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing, were along the race route and cheered for the participants.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, along with Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Department of Tourism 7 Regional Director Rowena Montecillo, stayed jn Sitio Mangal, Barangay Punta Engaño to support participants of the running course.
Radaza said the Ironman race had improved each year.
“Mas alegre karon, mas dali nahuman ang race kay mas paspas ang mga participants (It’s more fun now, the race finished quickly because the participants were faster),” Radaza said.
Moderate to slow traffic was felt in some roads in Lapu-lapu City.
Early
Emelyn Casul, 27, who works for a garments company at the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Barangay Pusok said she went to work early so she will not be late.
“Kahibaw man ko nga naay Ironman mao nga nisayo ko ug gikan kay basin matraffic ko nya. Mosabot na lang ta, di na lang ta magyawyaw kay kausa raman sad na (I knew there was going to be Ironman, so I left to work early as there might be heavy traffic. I understand, I won’t complain since it happens only once any- way),” she told Sun.Star Cebu.
Traffic groups in the cities of Lapulapu, Mandaue and Cebu did not see any major congestion in roads.
No congestion
Lawyer Rafael Christopher Yap of the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) said no heavy buildup of vehicles was seen in some major thoroughfares in the city, like M.J. Cuenco Ave., N. Bacalso Ave., and the north road, which were used as alternative routes.
“It was peaceful and orderly, no report of congestion,” Yap said.
He said the holding of the event on a Sunday contributed to the orderly flow of traffic in the city since most don’t have work and chose to stay home.