3 Cebu LGUs willing to host Ironman

Three mayors from the northern towns and city of Cebu have agreed in principle to co-host the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships here.

Mayors Nene Alegado of Consolacion town, Joel Quiño of Compostela town, and Mayor Nito Durano III of Danao City are willing to host the triathlon on August 5, according to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

However, the organizer, Sunrise Events, is asked to submit its proposal to the mayors for approval.

Magpale said the opportunity to host the annual international event must not go to waste.

Tourism-wise, she said, this can be a chance for the north to shine.

“We are happy kung sa north,” she said.

Ironman, one of the world's toughest triathlons, is a 70.3-mile (113-kilometer) race in which participants swim for a distance of 1.9 kilometers, bike for 90 kilometers, and run for a total of 21.1 kilometers.

Triathletes from 51 countries are expected to join this year's event.

The Ironman organizer with the help of the provincial government is looking for an alternative route after Cebu City government refused to host the event.

The biking leg of the 113-kilometer course, which covers 90 kilometers, is supposed to traverse the Cebu South Coastal Road at the South Road Properties.

But Mayor Tomas Osmeña has declined the request of Sunrise Events to use the CSCR for the 2018 edition of the action-packed triathlon event, invoking public convenience.

CSCR serves as an important passage linking the north and south of Cebu.

Bus trips to and from southern Cebu have been diverted to CSCR because part of N. Bacalso Avenue was closed to make way for the ongoing construction of a P638million underpass.

The N. Bacalso Avenue has spurred monstrous traffic in Cebu City's south district, especially during peak hours.

Three sporting event applications that involved the use of CSCR have already been turned down this year for the same reason.

Sunrise Events General Manager Princess Galura was quick to allay concerns the competition may be postponed for lack of venue, saying they are determined to push through with the event on August 5 with or without Cebu City's participation

If things go according to plan, it will be the seventh year Cebu would see Ironman 70.3 action and the second time to witness the Asia-Pacific championship.

The first Ironman APAC championship was also held in Cebu in 2016.