PUERTO Princesa is pulling out all the stops to guarantee not just a successful staging of its inaugural Ironman 70.3 hosting but also a memorable racing experience for more than 1,200 triathletes geared up for the premier endurance race this Sunday (Nov. 13) in Palawan.
“It is our inaugural year and any inaugural year in any location is special,” said Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron. “We have over 1,200 triathletes from 26 countries competing in a new race after the pandemic. It’s an excellent turnout and we must make it special.”
The Ironman Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. has staged triathlon events in Subic, Cebu and Subic with general manager Princess Galura expressing her impression with the debuting city host’s preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run event over a challenging course set up to international standards.
A Puerto Princesa contingent, led by Bayron and city officials, watched the IM 70.3 event in Cebu last August to observe how the event is planned, organized, hosted and managed.
The new host city, however, said it’s more than providing the participants a new racing experience but also a “race-cation of triathletes” of sorts, this being a rare chance for them to visit various scenic locations throughout the city which is home to a number of world-class natural attractions.
They include the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or the Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds a place in the new seven wonders of nature.
