Ironman success shows ‘we can live with COVID’-19

CEBU, Philippines — After over two years of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the success of the Megaworld Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu yesterday proved that one can live even with COVID-19.

Close to 2,000 triathletes, runners, and swimmers from 46 countries joined the race, and only a few did not make it to the finish line.

Participants showed they were fit and more than ready to be back in racing.

Prior to the IM action, over 200 youngsters also joined the Ironkids Philippines, showing it is safe to engage in sports again.

Sunrise General Manager Princess Galura said its mission was accomplished, thanks to beautiful weather. This, despite an earlier weather forecast that showed 70% chance of rain at the start of the race.

“We were blessed with perfect weather…we had the perfect race condition...very clear. The swim, the bike is overcast, and eventually when it rained, nasa run na ang lahat,” said Galura after the event.

Of course, all health and travel protocols were observed and followed accordingly.

Participants had to present their vaccination cards as part of the requirements while a negative RT-PCR was asked from those unvaccinated. It was, however, unknown whether or not some participants were unvaccinated.

Galura said the sucess of the event shows that everything is possible after the pandemic and that Cebu has the capabilities to make things happen with everyone from the government and private sector helping out.

Galura said she understands it has been doubly hard for Cebu with the Covid-19 pandemic and the wrath brought about by typhoon Odette, yet it managed to deliver another top-caliber event.

She said she now has a new best friend in Megaworld for the venue, the Mactan Newtown, among others, after its previous venue is still trying to recover from the typhoon accordingly.

Safest

Medical director Dr. Peter Mancao told The Freeman that he considers this year’s edition as the safest one with very few participants sustaining wounds and just one triathlete, a 59-year-old, sustaining a lacerated knee that needed an operation.

Mancao, president of the Cebu Medical Society, said it’s always up to the people how to live their lives, but the participants of the event showed what sports such as triathlon can do to one’s mental and physical well-being.

Spectators, for their part, have imposed on themselves minimum health protocols, especially the wearing of face masks, as there were also some personnel who constantly reminded everyone to wear masks in crowded areas.

Meanwhile, on matters of peace and order, it was also generally peaceful.

No one was badly harmed on the part of the participants and spectators.

“Gamay-gamay ra gyud ang nangalamba and so far (among the spectators), wala say na report na untoward incident,” said Police Lt. Col. Rene Kyamko, Lapu-Lapu City Police Deputy City Director for Operations.

Even when it rained a bit in the afternoon, everything went well.

“A series of coordination meetings before the event and simulation exercises, medyo na-handle gyud nato maayog dagan ang paghatag namog security sa mga athlete ug ang kahusay sa ilang swim, giunsa sila pag-secure, unya ang atong mga bikers ug runners,” added Kyamko.

Kyamko also thanked all other units including LLCPO with 392 personnel plus augmentation from Mandaue City for crowd control, along with a SWAT team.

Even on the side of Cordova and Cebu City, all went well as well with Mayor Cesar Suan and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama helping secure the participants.

Even the management of Megaeworld and CCLEX were fielding their own security, both to check on the health protocols and to secure the venue.

Galura also thanked DPWH and the new Suan for going the extra mile, especially on the Cordova side with the construction of the access road around Pilipog-Gabi going to CCLEX in less than two months.

The event, it is claimed, has boosted the economy of Cebu, especially Lapu-Lapu.

More to it, the success of the event has also become a model to other LGUs, especially those who are also set to host another event by Sunrise Events.

Galura said it’s up to Cebu now if it still wants to hold another edition next year.

“Gustong-gusto namin. But of course, it's up to the LGUs here and the Cebuanos kung gusto pa ba nila. Tingnan natin,” said Galura.

Lapu-Lapu City congresswoman Cindi Chan has already expressed interest of sort in hosting back the IM action next year when she posted, “See you next year.”

Rama earlier offered Cebu City to be the main venue of the event's next edition, but Galura said there is no venue in the city that could pass for the swim part of the IM.

However, Galura said Cebu City should not worry as there are other possible international events that they can offer for the said city to host. – JMD (FREEMAN)