Bigger Ironman Davao

City expects more tourists, participants next year

THE City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) expects twice as many participants and tourist arrivals for the 2nd Alveo Ironman Challenge in Davao City next year after the positive feedback of the triathletes themselves.

Davao City is tasked to hold the Alveo Ironman Challenge for three consecutive with the first time during the March 25 of this year. She added the Davao city government made sure good quality of the holding of the event in order to entice more participants and visitors for the next Ironman Challenge.

When asked what they have learned on the conduct of huge events such as the Ironman, Tecson said as for their part, there had been minor issues.

“As a matter of fact, they [the participants] were the ones to have also learned something from us. At first there were arguments that the participants may get intimidated with the presence of the security personnel in every 20 to 30 meters along their running path. But we insisted and the participants, especially the foreigners, said it is ‘strangely comforting’ to see security forces everywhere,” said Tecson.

The participants are also very happy of the cheering Dabawenyos on the sides of the road that made their race happier and less tiring. During the swimming part of the triathlon, Tecson said the participants were also assured of their safety because of volunteer divers underneath them in the waters who make sure they are safe.

Today, April 11, the CTOO and the other concerned government and private agencies will meet for the formal evaluation of the Ironman Challenge wherein specific points of improvements will also be discussed.

In a separate interview, Sports Development Division-City Mayors Office (SDD-CMO) Officer-in-Charge Michael Denton Aportadera said they target about 3,000 participants next year. He also said they plan to include more festive activities and additional hydration booths, as well as entertainment on and before the race.