MANILA – Hundreds of local and international triathletes are expected to troop to Camarines Sur this month for the 1st Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

According to the event’s official website, a total of nine international or professional triathletes will compete with 400 age groupers and 50 relay teams from 23 different nations.

The inaugural Ironman circuit will be held on August 23 at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC). Race starts at 7 a.m.

Among the professional athletes entered in the event are 70.3 champions Terenzo Bozzone, Cameron Brown and Chris McCormack.

Bozzone’s career highlights this year include the 1st Eagleman 70.3 USA, 1st Columbia Maryland, 1st Buffalo Minnesota, 2nd St. Anthony’s Florida and 2nd Ironman Debut New Zealand Taupo. He won the World Championships 70.3 in Clearwater, Florida in 2008.

Brown, meanwhile, has won the New Zealand Ironman eight times. He placed second in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in 2001 and 2005. He also placed third in Kona in 2002 and 2003.

McCormack, the 2007 Ironman Hawaii World Champion, is known for bagging two major titles in 1997: International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup Series and Triathlon World Championships.

Race proper

Bozzone, Brown and McCormack are set to swim, bike and swim alongside other triathletes at the CWC on August 23, Sunday.

Breakfast will be served at 4 a.m. The transition area opens for check in and race numbering at 5 a.m. while all roads within the CWC will be closed at 6 a.m.

The transition area will then be closed at 6:30 a.m. The race begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. The roll down is at 4 p.m. while awarding ceremonies will take place at 7 p.m.

An expo open to all will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, the Wakeboard Park will be open to all guests for free from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sports tourism

Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, chairman of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, said on his website message that the event aims to “create a memorable experience for the triathletes.”

Moreover, the event also wants to “create a concept of ‘sports tourism’” by showing the triathletes the beautiful spots that the Philippines has to offer.

Uytengsu, the president & CEO Alaska Milk Corporation, also said that they want to develop triathlon in the country.

The addition of relays would attract new participants, he said. The relay division has the following categories: Men, Women, Mixed, Corporate and Collegiate.

A triathlete himself, Uytengsu mentioned that the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines is “well timed” as it is just seven weeks away from the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii or the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida.