Cebu hosts Asia-Pacific Ironman next year

LAPU-LAPU CITY—The Philippines won a big prize on the eve of the big race.

The internationally acclaimed Ironman organization announced yesterday that the Asia-Pacific Ironman 70.3 Championship will be held in Cebu on Aug. 7 next year.

Geoff Meyer, CEO of Ironman Asia-Pacific, said the hosting chore was awarded to the Philippines in recognition of the country’s successful staging of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines for the past five years.

“It’s an exciting time for the sport of triathlon in the Asia-Pacific,” said Meyer.

“With our ongoing expansion in Asia that includes 14 Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events combined with tens of thousands of athletes living and competing in the region, it’s the right time to host a championship race here.”

Meyer said the event would be heading to Asia as a result of the big growth of triathlon and the Ironman brand in the continent.

“Our country’s hosting in Cebu completes the picture of the Philippines not only as a travel destination, but also as a competitive sports destination in Asia where major global events can be held,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez.

The hosting strengthened the long-standing partnership between Ironman and Sunrise Events, Inc., which also organizes the Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay, 5150 Subic Bay and 5150 Bohol triathlons.

“We’re extremely proud to have been selected as the host of the 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship,” said Sunrise Events chair and president Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr.

“We intend to stage our best event yet which will coincide with our five-year anniversary in Cebu and our eighth year in partnership with Ironman.”