RAIN won’t be a problem for those participating during the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Lapu-Lapu City on Sunday, August 7, 2022.

This was what Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), told SunStar Cebu when asked whether it is safe to push through with the triathlon event should there be a downpour.

“Magbasa man gani ang mga athletes (Athletes even get wet) to sustain the race,” said Bañacia.

Low chance of rain

Engineer Al Quiblat, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas weather bureau, in a separate interview, however, said there is a low chance of rain on Sunday morning, although there is a high chance in the afternoon until the evening.

Quiblat said this is due to a combined low pressure area (LPA) and southwest monsoon.

He said the temperature is expected to be at 24°C to 30°C with winds of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour (kph).

Roadworks to be completed before race

In a social media post, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said he ensured that the roadworks affecting the routes of the Ironman 70.3 would be finished ahead of the event.

Chan earlier called out the private contractor in charge of the drainage projects located in three barangays--Mactan, Maribago and Agus--as he expressed disappointment over the long-overdue projects.

This after he conducted an ocular inspection on those projects less than two weeks before the Ironman event.

Chan noted that the incomplete projects could cause accidents for those participating in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines. Around 2,000 participants from 48 countries are expected to join the popular race.

The mayor has announced that road closures will take place from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Barangays Mactan, Punta Engaño, Maribago, Agus, Marigondon and Subabasbas for the staging of the race.