Fast race looms in IRONMAN 70.3

With a new race course modified to stir up the chase for top honors, the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines takes shape to be a fast, furious battle when it fires off on 7 August in Mactan, Cebu.

Twelve titles will be up for grabs in various age-group categories from 18-24 to 75-and-above with the fight for the overall championship tipped to go down to the last stride, given the new race routes in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21k run event.

“The new race central and swim course at The Mactan Newtown make it an exciting racecourse,” race director Neville Manaois said.

“From Lapu-Lapu City to the municipality of Cordova, to the newly-opened CCLEX bridge to Cebu, the bike will be fast, exhausting and exhilarating course while the run course has been re-configured to a fast and more exciting route.”

That makes IRONMAN 70.3’s return to the country’s top triathlon hub after a two-year hiatus doubly exciting with close to 2,000 bidders, including bets from at least 40 countries, all geared up for a test of speed, power and endurance in the race put up by Megaworld and The Mactan Newtown.

It will start and end at the Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City.

The winning time isn’t expected to breach but is likely to at least approximate the four-hour, one-minute, 22-second clocking posted by Aussie ace Tim Reed in winning his fourth IM title in Cebu in 2019 in the light of the makeup and condition of the new racecourse.

Spicing up the event are the relay (male and female) and relay mixed while a CEO trophy will also be disputed in the individual competition.