MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will lead the flag off ceremonies for 500 participants of the BOSS Ironman Challenge-Mindanao leg firing off June 22 at the SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.
Lito Flores, BOSS Ironman Challenge organizing committee chairman, said Malacañang has thrown its full backing to the event which will be held for the first time in the region.
An initiative of the BMW Owners Society of Safe Riders, the BOSS Ironman has held its races in Northern Luzon for the past 13 years. But the Mindanao-based big bikers, led by Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, have requested organizers to stage a similar event in the south to help promote the region.
BOSS president Tey Usis stressed that the Ironman Mindanao leg is in line with the Chief Executive efforts to promote the “Go South” tourism campaign.
Others expected to grace the event are Sen. JV Ejercito, Rep. Hernandez, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde, Bureau of Corrections chief Undersecretary Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and PNP Highway Patrol Group director Chief Supt. Robert Fajardo.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte will be on hand during the awards rites.
Flores said the event is an endurance run requiring the participants to complete the 1,200-km within the 24-hr time limit regardless of finish. “This is a tourism promotional effort,” Flores said.
In emphasizing road safety and discipline, Senior Supt. Ely Malana, PNP Highway Patrol Group Regional Office 12 director, warned erring Ironman participants that they will be apprehended for traffic violations, particularly in speed limit in densely populated areas.
Participants will pass through the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato and Sarangani before heading back to Davao City.
Duterte’s motorcycle group, On Any Sunday Riders Club of Davao City led by Boy Pineda, is among the prime movers of the 2018 BOSS Ironman-Mindanao leg.
Meanwhile, FastCat ferry service offered Ironman participants 30 percent discount, both for their family members and motorcycle unit. On the other hand, Solid Shipping Lines will be giving 20 percent discount for motorbikes that will be shipped to Mindanao for the Ironman event.