Top Filipinos get extra in Palawan
In a field littered with strong foreign participation, Filipino triathletes believe that victory is possible in the Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa with the home bets not lacking in motivation.
Top male and female Filipino finishers will earn an added P50,000 each, while the Ironman-affiliated TriClub with the most participants will take home a P200,000 cash prize to sweeten the pot.
Hosting the half-Ironman race for the third year, Puerto Princesa has built a reputation of being a great site for the event, with this year’s staging coinciding with the Subaraw Festival celebrations and highlighting the Underground River, a Unesco Wonder of the World.
Athletes will face an added layer of challenge this year with a new and improved course. The race transition area has been redesigned for greater convenience, enhancing the experience for both participants and their families.
The cycling route, for one, is now a two-loop course instead of three, allowing for faster race times.
But with 60 percent of the field coming from 42 countries, local athletes will need to bring their A games to contend for the championship title and substantial cash prizes.
The main event is set for Sunday, where elite athletes will tackle the grueling challenge of a 1.9-kilometer open-water swim, a 90-km cycling course and a 21-km run.
