Close to 3,000 participants from 43 countries, led by very strong lineup of pros, will converge in Cebu on Aug. 7 for the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships presented by Ford at Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa.
Titleholders Tim Reed and Caroline Steffen will banner a world-class field of 31 pros who will serve as main attraction of the event that will also feature 2,869 equally determined competitors in the Filipino elite, CEOs, age groups and relay divisions.
Excitement for the prestigious event has been high since it was announced that Cebu will be the home of the 2016 AsPac Ironman. When registration was opened last October, the 2,900 slots in the elite 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run race were sold out in just 28 minutes.
Produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and backed by Cobra Energy Drink as title sponsor, the tournament will offer the biggest prize money ever at $75,000 and the highest points earned.
“We are truly honored to be chosen as host for the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, marking the first time that this elite event is held in Asia, outside of Australia and New Zealand,” said SEI president Wilfred Uytengsu Jr.
At the same time, 30 slots to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championships will be up for grabs, giving participants extra motivation to vie for top honors in the event backed by Ford as presenting sponsor, Summit Water as presentor, 2Go Express (official courier and logistics partner), Asics, Gatorade, Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu Province, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Philippine Airlines, Globe, Prudential Guarantee, Oakley and Timex.
Renowned Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue has once again crafted beautiful medals and trophies for the winners of the event to be aired live via streaming on www.ironman.com courtesy of Globe Telecoms, according to SEI.
Other backers are Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Alaska, David’s Salon, Intercare, Gu gel, Kenneth Cobonpue, Megaworld Mactan Newtown, Sun Life Financial, TYR, media partners The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife Magazine, AsiaTri, Finisher Pix, technology partner Xurpas, official hotels Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, Be Resorts Mactan, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactant, Waterfront Hotel and Casino Mactan, Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu and offiicial registration partner Active Network.
