The Cobra IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines Conundrum
Just when we thought the Cobra IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines was getting ready for its swan song, the country’s most iconic triathlon race hits us once again with another curveball.
*we didn’t post anything IM70.3 related for 3 days after the race as our way of paying our respects to our fallen comrade. RIP.
“Ironman 70.3 Cebu is that one race that I could just never figure out”, said one veteran triathlete. “You prepare for the worse and it gives you something you haven’t experienced before”.
And we agree. For some reason, the Cobra IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines Cebu edition is that one race that keeps us coming back for more. After the Asia-Pacific Championships last year, we thought to ourselves, “how can they top this one?”. Since 2012, Cebu has been the home of the country’s most prestigious race. Athletes have come and gone but the race (and the racecourse) has basically remained the same since the day they moved it from Camsur.
From swim P.R’s. to swim P.W.’s, it is the swim that keeps the athletes guessing. The tide and current never played a factor during its first three years, but now in the last three, athletes experienced currents so strong that some had to literally hold on to the bouy’s to keep themselves from getting swept away. The weather also puts the “I” in intense. We’ve had races where its raining, then we’ve had races where it’s scorching hot (majority of it).
But that is triathlon. It is the unpredictability of it that makes it addicting. As the saying goes, if triathlon was easy, everyone would be doing it, right?
With the arrival of the full distance in June next year, the event has basically reshaped the landscape of Philippine triathlon. But the biggest question now is, will Cebu still be the country’s crown jewel when it comes to triathlon? Will it still be the “A” race of triathletes? Or will it still even be in Cebu? Where will the road(s) lead to now? Which one would people join? How many would do both? Registration for the full-distance has been limited 1000 participants which has been filled up in less than 24 hours. Will that create a spillover effect? Will registration for the next 70.3 still close in less than an hour? Only time will tell.
Make no mistake about it. What makes Cebu different is the all-out support of the LGU. For one day in a year, Cebu completely transform itself into Ironman heaven. That’s pretty hard to top.
Also, it is common knowledge that most of the locally organized races revolve around Cebu. They’re there as a “prep” for the big one.
“The only thing permanent in the world is change.”
We’re seeing posts of new locations (possible venues?) being visited, and there was even an article about this one particular race being the final title sponsored race of a particular brand. One only just need to be active in social media and the interwebs to see all the signs.
Take it for what it’s worth. But it has been the same storyline for the full ironman before it was announced.. and now here we are.
Whatever the case may be, we just can’t help but think how lucky we are to live in a country with all these races. Back in 2008, the biggest race had a staggering number of… 123 participants.
So buckle up. It’s gonna be an interesting 2018 triathlon season.
And we’re in.
