A PACK of local celebrities will take time out from their busy schedules to test their skills on the sporting stage as they compete in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines this Sunday.
Matteo Guidicelli, Paul Jake Castillo, Bubbles Paraiso, Dyan Castillejo and Kim Atienza will be vying in the individual competitions of the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run event, while Piolo Pascual (bike), Gerald Anderson (bike), Jake Cuenca (bike), Gretchen Fulido (swim), Enchong Dee (swim) and Kim Chiu (run) likewise take a break from numerous commitments to join the relay team event.
Their presence will not only add excitement to the event but also provide the competitive spirit that has marked their stints in a number of triathlons that they had competed in as part of their healthy lifestyle.
They will be among the more than 2,600 triathletes from a record 51 countries set to see action in the event.
Aussies Tim Reed and Dimity-Lee Duke, meanwhile, banner the elite pro side, which stakes a top purse of $5,000 each in the men’s and women’s divisions of the event that will also feature the likes of Aussie Tim Van Berkel, Mauricio Mendez of Mexico, Brent McMahon of Canada, Kiwi Cameron Brown and another Aussie ace Sam Betten, winner of the recent Regent 5150 in Subic. (RCM)