While the elite pros are expected to finish it in over eight hours or so, the bulk of the brave 1,268 bidders from 47 countries brace for a grueling race that could stretch into the night when the first Century Tuna Full IRONMAN is fired off Sunday (June 3) in Subic.
In fact, the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. has set a two-hour, 20-minute cutoff in the 3.8k swim leg; a 10-hour, 30-minute limit in the 180km bike stage; and a 17-hour deadline to finish the 42.95km closing run to ensure a smooth, hassle-free staging of the most demanding endurance challenge ever to be held here.
Seven each in the men’s and women’s sides will slug it out for the coveted crown in the centerpiece Pro division while two in each category are vying in the Asian Elite. But focus will also be on the 11 age group divisions, which drew the bulk of the full IRONMAN participants.
Two hundred ninety nine are entered in the 40-44 age class, including 266 in the men’s side, while 280, including 257 in the men’s, are entered in the 45-49 category. The 35-39 group has 248 entries while the 30-34 and 50-54 classes drew 151 and 122 casts, respectively.
“Everybody’s got that mixed feelings rush heading to the event – thrilled yet wary. But it will certainly be a unique feeling for every full Ironman finisher, a combination of relief, fatigue, joy, this being the first full IRONMAN to be staged here,” said SEI general manager Princess Galura.
Century Tuna, after successfully holding three 5150 and 70.3 races, is putting up the first full IRONMAN in partnership with SEI, the country’s producer and organizer of triathlon, which incidentally is celebrating a decade of IRONMAN staging here.
“The last three years, we saw our Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 races sold to almost full capacity, proving that the Philippine triathlon community has grown and progressed,” said Greg Banzon, vice president and general manager of Century Pacific Food Inc.
With the full IRONMAN, Filipino athletes now have the chance to experience the highest level of competition without going far.
Meanwhile, IRONMAN legends Dave Scott of the US and Craig Alexander will hold a meet-and-greet session today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. today at Shangri-La at The Fort.
For updates, visit www.ironmanphilippines.com and www.ironman.com/subicbay703 for Ironman 70.3 with official hashtags #IRONMANph, #CenturyTunaIM or ironmanph on facebook and twitter.
Other backers of the event are venue hosts Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and ACEA Subic Bay, bike leg racing partner NLEX and SCTEX, courier and logistics partner Black Arrow Express, footwear sponsor Hoka One One, hydration partners Gatorade and Aquafina, swim cap TYR, energy gel Gu, bike mechanics Storck;
David’s Salon, Intercare and Prudential Guarantee (major sponsors), Hyper HD on Cignal, The Philippine Star, Trilife,Asiatri.com and Finisherpix (media partners), Alcoplus, Cetaphil, Devant, Ford, PLDT, Regent, Sanicare and Timex (marketing sponsors), Active Network (registration partner), and ACEA, Best Western Plus, Court Meridian, The Lighthouse, Mansion Garden Hotel, The Villas, Subic Bay Peninsular, Subic Bay Yacht Club and Subic Holiday Villas (official hotels).