World-class runners vie in Cobra Energy Ironman

MANILA, Philippines - Preparations are in full swing for the staging of the 2016 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships presented by Ford on Aug. 7 in Cebu.

This will be the biggest triathlon event to be held in the region and the host Cebuanos, together with the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., are guaranteeing a world-class setup for the lung-busting race that starts and ends at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resorts and Spa.

To ensure the safety of everyone on race day, officials announced road closures in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu, and Talisay which will serve as part of the route of the 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run race of the event produced by SEI and backed by Cobra Energy Drink as title sponsor.

In Lapu-Lapu, the affected roads will be from Punta Engano (Kabesang Tasyo Road) to Manuel L. Quezon National Highway to the Junction of Marcelo Fernan Bridge. The road from Goldberry Hotel, Pusok, up to Punta Engano will be closed 5 a.m-2 p.m. while the Punta Engano side up to Amisa will be opened at 5 p.m.

In Mandaue, Ouano Ave. and Plaridel Street will be closed 4 a.m.-2 p.m. All vehicles bound for Mandaue City and Northern Cebu are advised to take L. Jaena and MC Briones Streets, while those going to Lapu Lapu City and Mactan Airport are urged to take L. Jaena, MC Briones and UN Avenue or SB Cabahug and UN Avenue, and motorists bound for Mandaue City and Cebu can take MC Briones and L. Jaena.

In Cebu City, the entire Sergio Osmena Blvd, from Mahiga Bridge leading to Legaspi Extension as well as the underpass going straight to South Road Property will be totally closed to traffic from 5 a.m. to 12 noon while the Talisay Fish Port Cebu South Coastal Road to Cong. Bacaltos Roas in Talisay will also be closed from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All motorists going to the airport coming from any direction are also advised to take the Sangi Motumbo Road or Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase if available. All trucks, trailers, tourist buses or motor vehicles with GVW 4500 and above will not be allowed to travel during the duration of the event, especially at diversional/alternative routes going to the airport.

The Cobra Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific will feature the region’s best, with 31 pros confirmed and tipped to slug it out in a spirited battle for top honors in the grueling swim-bike-run event supported by Ford as presenting sponsor, Summit Water as presentor, 2Go Express (official courier and logistics partner), Asics (official footwear and apparel), Gatorade (official sports drink), Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu Province, Lapu-Lapu City (venue hosts), Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City (bike course partners), Philippine Airlines (official carrier), Globe, Prudential Guarantee (official insurance provider), Oakley (official eyewear) and Timex (official timing partner).

Serving as an equally exciting prelude to the action is the Alaska IronKids, which blasts off Aug. 6.

In line with the Ironkids, Lapu-Lapu’s Angasil Road, from Kapitang Tasyo Road up to Mangal Punta Engano will be closed to vehicular traffic from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. All side roads leading to race route will also be closed for the duration of the race.

Other backers of the event are Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Alaska, David’s Salon, Intercare, Gu gel, Kenneth Cobonpue, Megaworld Mactan Newtown, Sun Life Financial, TYR, media partners The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife Magazine, AsiaTri, Finisher Pix, technology partner Xurpas, official hotels Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, Be Resorts Mactan, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactant, Waterfront Hotel and Casino Mactan, Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu and offiicial registration partner Active Network.