DEFENDING champions Mauricio Mendez of Mexico and Radka Kahlefeldt of Czech Republic will have their hands full when the 2nd Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao kicks off on March 24 in an out-and-back course at Azuela Cove, Lanang, Davao City.

Both also clinched the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, of the first Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific championship in Mactan, Cebu last August 2018 following their Davao feats.

But this year’s edition of the Ironman 70.3 Davao, which has attracted around 2,200 entries from some 38 countries, is expected to be tougher for the reigning titlists.

The stellar cast, according to organizer Sunrise Events Incorporated, included 16 professional triathletes the likes of Australians Tim Reed, Sam Betten and Tim Van Berkel, Germany’s Markus Rolli, Frenchman Antony Costes and Bahrain’s Eric Watson who are not only out to challenge Mendez’s title but also vie for World Championship berths.

Kahlefeldt, meanwhile, will have to face stiff opposition from Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen, Australia’s Dimity Lee Duke and Guam’s Subic 5150 2018 champion Manami Iijima for the women’s crown.

Davao City’s very own Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Taguig City Representative Pia Cayetano, who earlier signed up with Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy to comprise Davao City’s Team Life is Here, bowed out of the relay competition due to hectic campaign schedule.

The mayor’s husband lawyer Mans Carpio will likewise compete along with teammates Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera and swimming coach Vasit Venturillo.

The Carpio couple will see action in the running stage of the relay event.

So hyped up was the second staging of the Ironman 70.3 Davao, on the heels of the inaugural event’s success, that 1,483 participants signed up when it officially opened on October 1, 2018 with 200 registrants signing up onsite and the rest online.

Entries from the United Arab Emirates, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Mexico, Ukraine, India, Malaysia, Qatar, the US, Belgium, Spain, Italy, New Caledonia, Singapore, South Africa, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Korean, Norway, Thailand, Switzerland, Greece, Kuwait, New Zealand, Turkey, China, Guam, Mexico, Panama and Taiwan are arriving days before the race day.

Filipino campaigners from different parts of the country will also show their wares in the event.