CEBU will take the spotlight again as all eyes are on the world-renowned race—the Regent Aguila Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines, which is set on Aug. 11, 2019 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

More than 2,000 triathletes from 57 countries will converge for the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90K bike and 21K run race that will cover the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay.

“As we continue to grow year after year, we are thrilled to kick off one of the biggest Ironman 70.3 in Cebu,” said Princess Galura, the general manager of Sunrise Events Inc., the company behind the 70.3 races in the country.

“If you want to race in Kona, do this race (in Cebu),” said World Triathlon Corp. for Asia Pacific chief executive officer Geoff Meyer said in a statement, referring to the similarity of Ironman Cebu 70.3 and the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Present in this year’s race are perennial contenders and former champions in Tim Reed, Mauricio Mendez and Caroline Steffen.

“If I would rate this race, this is among the top three races of my life,” said Mendez, who finished second in the 2017 edition before winning the men’s pro crown last year.

The other contenders are Tim Van Berkel, Luke McKenzie, Mitch Robins, Lindsey Lawry, Justin Ghosh, Jakub Langhammer, Eric Watson and Terrence Bozzone.

Bozzone was the champion in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Camarines Sur.

Aside from the pros, the other categories to be contested are Filipino elite, relay and the age groups.

The participants are from Australia, Bahrain, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxemburg and Macao.

Also represented are Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Qatar, Taiwan, Romania, Russia, Saint Barthelemy, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. (RSC)