Cebu basks in glow of Ironman success

CEBU, Philippines - For the second year in a row, the Queen City of the South rested on the laurels of its highly successful hosting of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines last Sunday at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, making it an event to remember not only for the Filipinos but also for the foreign participants who were enamored anew by the genuinely warm Pinoy hospitality.

Not even the inclement weather could dampen the spirits of the hardworking Cebuano hosts, whose collective efforts have greatly contributed in showcasing once again Cebu's competence and capability of staging a world-class spectacle of such magnitude.

"Cebu is privileged to be the host of the Ironman, a prestigious international sports event. That much-talked about Cebuano hospitality has taken centerstage once again. The Cebu tourism industry is the biggest beneficiary of this hosting," said Cebu Governor Hilario "Junjun" Davide III.

"I would also like to thank the countless volunteers who have made the second staging of Ironman in Cebu a certified success. The cooperation of the 5 LGUs - Cebu Province, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Talisay, and Cebu City, together with the various government agencies, was the key to this successful hosting," he added.

With the overwhelming success comes a greater responsibility for Cebu to present a bigger, grander and more exciting Ironman next year, according to Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.

The dynamic chief executive of the historic Mactan Island also made special mention of the 25,000-plus schoolchildren who braved their way out on the streets to cheer for the over 2,000 triathletes from 35 countries across six continents who took part in the grueling race.

"The international race was a huge success largely because of the cooperation of the entire Oponganon particularly the 25,000  DepEd students who braved the inclement weather to cheer the triathletes, the police force, traffic personnel, clean and green and barangay officials and workers. I am also thankful to the people of Lapu-Lapu for their understanding as they were inconvenienced by the road closure," said Radaza.

"We have set the bar even higher this year and we have a bigger hosting challenge next year as we attempt to outdo ourselves," she added.

Sunrise Events, Inc. CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, the man behind the event that started in Camarines Sur five years ago, was similarly elated  by the outcome of the fun-filled, yet highly competitive triathlon action, even as he also expressed his profound gratitude to all those who, in one way or another, have helped in making the 5th Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines a resounding success.

"Mayor Paz (Radaza) is such an outstanding host, the other local government units involved have been very supportive and so is Governor Davide. It made out stay very memorable. We were also blessed with a good weather, but next year, no guarantees. The medals were really exceptional, thanks to Kenneth Cobonpue, truly world-class," said Uytengsu, who is also the President and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation.

"The cheers from the crowd including foreigners who shouted they love the Philippines was really memorable too. The celebrities who joined with us also made the crowd go wild. Everything turned out really great because you trusted us," added Uytengsu.

Among the popular local and international celebrities who added glitz and glamour to the event were Black Eyed Peas' Apl.De.Ap of the Apl.De.Ap Foundation, Timex's Piolo Pascual, Drew Arellano, Mateo Guidicelli, Isabela Daza, Gretchen Fulido, Kim Atienza, Iya Villania, Anne Curtis, and Senator Pia Cayetano among others.

The lung-busting battle started with a 1.9-kilometer open water swim at the beach of the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa in Mactan Island followed by the 90km bike ride traversing four cities (Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay). The final phase was the 21km run at Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City where the historic "Battle of Mactan" took place nearly five centuries ago.

When the smoke was cleared, Australian Coutney Atkinson came through with a race of his life, blowing away a star-studded field that included former world champions Pete Jacobs and Chris McCormack.

The 33-year-old Atkinson, a two-time Olympian, crossed the finish line with the fastest time of three hours and 58.07 minutes. He led by just a little over a minute, but it was enough for him to dethrone three-time champion Pete Jacobs, the reigning Ironman world champion, who slipped to second place this time with the time of 3:59.09.

Despite his loss, Jacobs only has good memories competing here: "Every race is different, but I'd say this is the best 70.3 (Ironman). Never have I seen spectators cheering louder than here.The hospitality of the people of Cebu, the venue Shangri-La (Mactan Resort and Spa) is fantastic. Although I only came out second, I still feel good vibes. Everyone's on a good mood.I would really join over and over again. Everyone's having fun. It's more fun in the Philippines, it really is."

In the women's side, Caroline Steffen of Switzerland had little trouble in snaring her second straight title with the time of 4:16.12, a spectacular 11-minute faster than her closest foes in American Bree Wee and seasoned Australian Belinda Granger, who wound up second and third in 4:27.49 and 4:33.50, respectively.

Youthful Banjo Norte of Team TBB Alaska grabbed part of the spotlight after he surprised the field by  ending up 13th overall and in the process become the best Filipino male elite with the time of 4:26.44. Last year's winner August Benedicto, who encountered trouble with his bike shifter, placed only second this time in 4:32.38.

Topping the women's Filipino elite section was former Southeast Asian Games triathlon silver medallist Sandra Araullo-Gonzales, who posted the time of 5:05.33 to finish ahead of another Team TBB Alaska athlete Jenny Rose Guerrero. (FREEMAN)