World tilt slots staked in full Ironman

Thirty berths in the Ironman World Championship will be up for grabs when the Century Tuna stages the first full Ironman in the country Sunday in Subic.

This marks the first time that the Philippines is holding a qualifier for the world meet slated in October in Kona, Hawaii, underscoring the country’s growing status as a top triathlon destination in this part of the globe.

Century Tuna is putting up a $15,000 total purse in the upcoming full triathlon with 1,278 bets from 47 countries all geared up for the ultimate test in endurance racing featuring 3.8km swim, 180km bike and the punishing 42km run.

Each participant will be 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 intrepid bets vying 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.

SEI will also hand out awards, including $500, to the overall top Filipino age groupers in the men’s and women’s sides while Century Tuna will fete the top Ironman team.

Meanwhile, the Ironkids swim-run will again spice up the big triathlon weekend as it holds its own competitions on Saturday at the WOW pools and Remy Field.

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).