A FIELD of 2,618 led by world champions Craig Crowie Alexander and Pete “PJ” Jacobs and defending champions Brent McMahon and Caroline Steffen sees action in the Cobra Ironman 70.3 on Sunday in Lapu Lapu City in Cebu.
The field in this year’s race four times larger than the field in the event's debut in 2009, according to the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc.
Slots were sold out just 40 minutes after the opening of registration, with triathletes from 52 nations across six continents signing up for the race, which also serves as a qualifier to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 world championships in Sunshine Coast, Australia.
“Having 2,618 triathletes from 52 countries is extremely encouraging for the growth of our sport in this part of the world. We are also very appreciative of the stellar cast of pros joining us, not only to race but also to experience the beauty of our country,” said Sunrise Events, Inc. president Fred Uytengsu.
Also among the favorites are Cameron Brown, Sam Betten, Luke McKenzie, Tim van Berkel, Tim Reed, Justin Granger, Clayton Fettel, Mitch Robins, Wai Kit Lam, and Matt Franklin in the men's division and Beth Gerdes, Belinda Granger, Dimity Lee-Duke, Caroline Fuchs and Kathryn Haesner in the women’s side.
The 2015 Cobra Ironman 70.3 will have a rolling start where athletes are encouraged to self-seed. The bike course will go back to the “M Loop” while the run will be a two-loop course of generally flat terrain of mixed asphalt and concrete roads.
Before the adults hit the course, the youngsters will first take the stage in Saturday’s Alaska IronKids Triathlon Cebu, which attracted a new high of 174 participants led by grand-slam seeking Tara Borlain and Juan Francisco Baniqued in the 11-12 years old division.
Sunrise executive Princess Galura said IronKids slots were sold out for the first time in five years and this year’s staging will also offer a “Play Category” with short and long distances to promote outdoor play and increase participation for non-competitive participants.
“Hopefully, the participants in the Play Category will convert to the Race Category next time,” Galura said on Thursday.
IronKids participants will have a practice run on Friday some of the pros along with Alaska Tri-Aspire coach Matt O’ Halloran and Filipino elites Banjo Norte and Jenny Guerrero in a side event dubbed “Alaska Run Out.”
They will later go to Punta Engano Elementary School for the “Alaska Gatas Breakfast” milk-drinking activity with over 1,600 students participating.
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