Cobra Ironman attracts record 2,500 bets

A record field of 2,500 participants spearheaded by 15 international pros, are seeing action in the sixth edition of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 set Aug. 3 in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

It will mark the third straight year that the race will be staged in Cebu and organizers vowed to pull out all the stops to ensure a successful staging of one of the most highly anticipated triathlon events in the country.

“We are taking a new philosophy route this year as we push hardworking athletes to be extraordinary as part of Cobra’s challenge,” said Abe Cipriano, the Asia Brewery AVP for Marketing, whose company owns the sponsoring Cobra Energy drink.

“We see participants challenged to outdo themselves, surpass their best time from last year,” added Cipriano at the send-off press conference at Rockwell Tent in Makati City Saturday.

The number of participants is the biggest since the Ironman was first held in the country in Camarines Sur in 2009. Organizers said spots for the event were already filled up four hours after it was open online.

Former champion Pete Jacobs returns for another crack at the elite men’s title won last year by Courtney Atkinson of Australia.

Topnotch triathletes Chris McCormack, Cameron Brown, Brent McMahon, Justin Granger, Eric Watson, Matt Burton, Michael Murphy and Sam Betten are also seeing action.

Monica Torres will be the top Filipino bet in the women’s division where Belinda Granger, Katya Meyers, Michelle Wu and Rebecca Hoshcke are all vying for top honors.