Public told to brace for Ironman event

CEBU, Philippines - All roads lead to the biggest sporting event so far in Cebu City tomorrow, and motorists and commuters are warned they must expect heavy traffic due to the closure of roads.

The Cebu City Traffic Office (formerly the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management) reminded that a temporary rerouting scheme for the event starts from 5 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. for the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Triathlon.

CCTO Operations Chief Jonathan Tumulak told reporters yesterday that both lanes of major thoroughfares at the vicinity of Sergio Osmeña Avenue to the Cebu South Coastal Road will be closed temporarily.

More than 2,600 triathletes from 52 countrieswill hit the road for the event, which involves the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu).

The event’s 1.9-kilometer swim will start in the shores of Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa in Barangay Punta Engaño Lapu-Lapu City, to be followed by a 90-kilometer bike course through the Mactan Circumferential Road in Barangay Ibo, Lapu-Lapu to Manuel L. Quezon Highway, up the Marcelo Fernan Bridge towards Mandaue City up to the South Reclamation Project and back.

The 21-kilometer run that will follow will bring the triathletes back to the bike station of the race. The participants will run on the streets of Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City and around the tip of Mangal Point back to the finish line at Shangri-la’s.

Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office officer-in-charge, said in a press conference that 1,500 security enforcers will be deployed, including f barangay tanods and Philippine Navy and aviation personnel.

Brazil said observers and spectators from other town and cities are to take a ferry from Pier 3 in Cebu City when going to their desired destination in Lapu-Lapu City.

Since the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge is the only access going to Lapu-Lapu City and to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, vehicles are advised to take the alternative routes in Sangi, Motumbo Road in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City.

As for emergencies, Radoc said sea ambulances are provided while security control points composed of policemen and medical responder will be set up along the race routes.

Tumulak also said there will be around 200 CCTO personnel who would be deployed in Cebu City.

Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera, who was designated as “Cebu City Point Person for the Ironman event,” said around 200 barangay tanods will also be deployed to assist traffic enforcers and the police, aside from almost 3,000 civic military students.

He stressed that the event will also promote the city as a sports hub aside from its heritage and cultural significance.

Garganera said will strictly impose a “no public crossing rule” along Sergio Osmeña Avenue, particularly at the Piers 2, 3 and 4 area, especially for arriving passengers. — (FREEMAN)