THE Ironman Group is gearing up for an unprecedented turnout for the fourth Century Tuna Ironman Philippines and the 11th IM 70.3 Subic Bay on June 9 at the Subic Bay Boardwalk, with the premier endurance races expected to draw athletes and their families from around the globe.
In addition to the main events, the 5km Century Tuna Super Bods Underpants Run will also be held on June 7, while the Choco Hero Ironkids triathlon will be held on June 8, nurturing young talents in the sport.
Also on tap are the age-group categories, featuring individual and relay events, along with the novel team tents competition.
Greg Banzon, Executive Vice President and COO of Century Pacific, emphasized the pivotal role Century Tuna has played in the Philippine triathlon scene, saying the company has supported events from small sprint races to the prestigious Ironman Philippines for over a decade.
He also highlighted the rise of Filipino athletes, such as SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, as a testament to the company’s commitment to youth development in triathlon. Though their support, Century Tuna has fostered a generation of athletes excelling in the sport.
Forty-four countries will compete in the coming endurance race, with Japan, France and the USA leading the charge with 54, 18 and 16 entries, respectively. Singapore and Vietnam will each field 10 participants and the host country has entered 147 competitors three weeks into the staging of the blue-ribbon event.
Carlo Endaya, Vice President and General Manager for the Domestic Tuna Business of Century Pacific, also underscored the broader impact of their support for triathlon events, stressing these promote health and fitness within the community, making triathlon accessible to a wider audience.
