A new three-loop race at the Mactan-Mandaue bridge gives the bike stage of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia Pacific Championship a different look when the premier endurance race is fired off Sunday at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu Lapu City.
The organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. has decided to use the new route for the bike part of the 1.9km swim-90km bike-21.2km run event so as not to affect thousands of commuters due to the ongoing construction of the South Road Properties along the South Coastal Road which links Cebu City’s SRP to Talisay City.
“We think the new bike stage further adds thrill to the event. Now it has been changed to three loops from the usual M-loop using the SRP. The participants will now traverse the Mactan-Mandaue bridge six times,” said Princess Galura, general manager of SEI, also the producer of the annual event presented by Aguila Energy Drink and Regent Food Corp.
The SCR had traditionally been part of the route for the 90km bike segment of the internationally renowned race.
With a stellar cast ready and raring to dispute top honors in the premier pro division, Galura expects a spirited battle in the event backed by presenting sponsors Alaska Milk Corp., Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board PH and held as part of SEI’s celebration of its decade-long staging of Ironman events in the country.
“It will be a very good pro race since we have the best of the best for male and female,” she said. “We look forward to hearing feedback from the participants, particularly on the bike course.”
