Sunrise Events: Trust the brand, it is prepared to help you

Sunrise Events encouraged participants seeking a refund for the postponed Ironman Philippines race to “trust the brand” as it tries to address all the concerns they have come out with over the last couple of days.

Princess Galura, the general manager of the outfit that runs Ironman races here in the country, reiterated on Friday that the “no-refund policy” will be enforced but other options will be made available for participants in the wake of the postponed Subic race.

“Trust the brand that they have trusted for a long time, that it will do the right thing for them,” Galura told the Inquirer.

Over the past few days, several groups of Filipinos based here and abroad have sought a refund of registration fees amounting to about P35,000 each after Ironman’s Subic race was moved from early this month to October. The groups cited the coronavirus pandemic’s crippling effects on their finances and the health and safety uncertainties brought about by the infection, among others, as basis for the refund.

But Galura said Sunrise Events is merely enforcing a global brand’s rules, which were made clear in a waiver the participants signed when they registered for the race.

“As Ironman’s local office, we abide by these rules,” said Galura, who added that participants have the option to join a different race in lieu of a refund. She added that organizers are also looking at other concerns of the participants, especially those about health and safety.

“Ironman will address these in time,” she said. “Right now, it’s an internal document, but these things they are worried about will be addressed.”

Among the other reasons participants brought up were the quarantine measures in places or countries they will come from to join the race.

But Galura assured the athletes that organizers “will do everything so they won’t be disadvantaged” by the situation.

“Trust the brand that has 42 years of leadership and integrity behind them,” Galura said. “Ironman is prepared to help.”