DAVAO CITY, Philippines (20 March 2026) – The highly anticipated BYD IRONMAN 70.3 Davao presented by Aboitiz returns in 2026 for its fifth staging, reaffirming Davao City’s reputation as one of the premier triathlon destinations in the Philippines. Since its debut in 2018, the event has been staged in 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, and now 2026, bringing together elite and age group athletes from across the country and around the world.
Returning after a one year hiatus, the response from athletes and the triathlon community has been overwhelming, with strong interest from both local and international participants eager to race once again in Mindanao’s largest city.
The race will once again take place along the Davao Coastal Road, offering athletes and spectators a scenic yet challenging race environment. A new highlight of the 2026 edition is the inclusion of the Bucana Bridge along the bike course, one of Davao City’s newest and most iconic infrastructures.
Across the Philippines, IRONMAN races are increasingly known for showcasing remarkable landmarks along their courses. Athletes racing in Davao will experience the Bucana Bridge, while other races in the country feature iconic routes such as the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu and the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway in Zambales, turning each race into a unique journey through some of the country’s most impressive locations.
“The return of IRONMAN 70.3 Davao reflects the continued growth of triathlon in the Philippines and the strong partnership we have built with the City of Davao and our sponsors,”
said Princess Galura, General Manager of Sunrise Events Inc. “Davao has always delivered an incredible race experience for athletes. With the addition of the Bucana Bridge and the continued support of the local community, we are excited to once again welcome athletes from around the world to race in one of the most dynamic destinations in the country.”
Davao City continues to underscore the importance of hosting IRONMAN 70.3 as a key event for the city’s growth and positioning. The race not only highlights the strength and determination of participating athletes but also showcases Davao’s beauty, progress, and renowned hospitality to both local and international visitors. The inclusion of the Bucana Bridge in the race course serves as a meaningful addition, featuring one of the city’s newest landmarks and symbolizing its ongoing development. Through events like IRONMAN 70.3, Davao City further strengthens its commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles, sports tourism, and community pride while drawing global attention to the destination.
BYD JOINS AS TITLE SPONSOR G ABOITIZ AS PRESENTING PARTNER
The 2026 edition marks the first year of BYD as the Title Sponsor of IRONMAN 70.3 Davao.
“We are proud to partner with IRONMAN 70.3 Davao and support an event that celebrates determination, innovation, and human performance,” Dino Obias, Chief Marketing Officer of ACMobility said. “Much like the athletes competing in this race, BYD is driven by progress and the pursuit of excellence, and we look forward to being part of this inspiring event.”
A longstanding partner, Aboitiz Group returns as the Presenting Partner, reaffirming its commitment to advancing sports tourism and community development in Davao—aligned with its broader vision of building thriving, future-ready communities.
“Our partnership with IRONMAN in Davao reflects Aboitiz’s commitment to empowering communities and promoting active lifestyles,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Group Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer. “We are proud to continue supporting a world-class event that not only elevates the city on the global stage, but also drives inclusive tourism and sustainable economic opportunities for the region.”
EXPANDED RACE WEEKEND EVENTS
Race weekend continues to grow into a multi event celebration of sport and community participation.
2GO Gwapa Dabawenya Run presented by Sun Life
The 2GO Gwapa Dabawenya Run presented by Sun Life returns with expanded distances, now featuring 5KM, 10KM, and 21KM categories, evolving from its previous 5KM only format.
The inclusive fun run celebrates confidence, strength, and community spirit, welcoming runners of all backgrounds to take part in the festivities.
“We are excited to continue supporting events like the Gwapa Dabawenya Run and to see it grow into a bigger and more inclusive celebration of fitness and community,” said Ethel Concepcion, Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications at 2GO Group. “As a logistics solutions provider, we hope to bring more events like these to Philippine shores and connect communities across the country, creating meaningful experiences that strengthen and empower the communities we serve.”
This year, the event also gains the support of Sun Life, further strengthening its message of wellness and active lifestyles.
Sun Life Philippines reinforces its belief that living a healthier life leads to a brighter future through its continued support of the Gwapa Dabawenya Run. By partnering with the event, Sun Life aims to encourage more individuals to embrace active lifestyles and prioritize their overall well-being. The initiative aligns with the brand’s broader advocacy of empowering people to make healthier choices, both physically and mentally. Beyond fitness, the Gwapa Dabawenya Run also celebrates confidence, self-expression, and community, creating an inclusive space where participants can come together, support one another, and enjoy a meaningful and uplifting experience.
RLC Residences IRONKIDS
The RLC Residences IRONKIDS events will once again inspire the next generation of endurance athletes through the IRONKIDS Run and IRONKIDS Swim Run.
In an exciting update for 2026, the IRONKIDS Swim Run will now use the same swim venue as the IRONMAN 70.3, allowing young athletes to experience the same race environment as the adult competitors.
“We are proud to support IRONKIDS and encourage young athletes to experience the joy of sport and the value of perseverance,” said Dan Torres, RLC Residences Marketing Head. “Through initiatives like IRONKIDS, we hope to inspire families and communities to live active and healthy lifestyles while nurturing the next generation of champions.”
PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION FILIPINO ELITE CATEGORY
The race will also feature the Filipino Elite Category supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, marking its second event this year under the initiative.
The category welcomes current and former national athletes, as well as age group athletes who have achieved qualifying finish times. The program aims to support current national athletes while also discovering new triathlon talents across the country.
Prize incentives include:
- Top Male 25,000 pesos
- Top Female 25,000 pesos
IRONMAN TRICLUB TEAM TENTS COMPETITION
Triathlon clubs from across the country will once again bring their energy and creativity to the race venue through the IRONMAN TriClub Team Tents Competition. More than just a gathering space, team tents transform the race venue into a vibrant hub of camaraderie, support, and team pride.
Teams will design and set up their own tents where athletes, families, and supporters can come together before and after the race. The competition celebrates the passion and spirit of the triathlon community, highlighting clubs that go above and beyond in creating a welcoming and spirited environment for their members.
Prize incentives include
- 1st place 10,000 pesos
- 2nd place 5,000 pesos
- 3rd place 3,000 pesos
TRIBU MAISUGON
Another major highlight of the event is Tribu Maisugon, the official TriClub team competition of IRONMAN 70.3 Davao. The competition celebrates teamwork, pride, and camaraderie among triathlon clubs. While athletes compete individually, their collective performance determines the strongest Tribu on race day.
Each Tribu must field a minimum of eleven athletes, with the team’s final score determined by the combined Age Group Ranking points of the top eleven finishers from the team.
Supported by the City Government of Davao, the Tribu Maisugon competition features a total prize pool of 500,000 pesos, making it one of the most exciting and competitive team challenges in Philippine triathlon.
A CELEBRATION OF SPORT AND COMMUNITY
With its scenic coastal venue, iconic landmarks, and expanded race weekend events, the BYD IRONMAN 70.3 Davao presented by Aboitiz continues to strengthen Davao City’s position as a major destination for international endurance sports. The event is supported by key national partners including the Philippine Sports Commission, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and the National Sports Tourism Inter Agency Committee, whose continued support helps promote the Philippines as a premier destination for sports tourism.
From elite competitors to first time participants, the race weekend promises a powerful celebration of sport, community, and the spirit of endurance.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Davao is made possible through the support of its valued partners and sponsors. BYD serves as the Title Sponsor, with Aboitiz as Presenting Sponsor and the City Government of Davao as Host City.
Regional and national government partners include the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and Department of Public Works and Highways.
The Philippine Sports Commission serves as the Filipino Elite Category Sponsor, with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority as National Agency Presenting
Sponsor and the National Sports Tourism Inter Agency Committee as National Agency Partner.
Official partners include RŌKA as Official Swim Sponsor, Amlan as Official Water Sponsor, ION+ Advanced Electrolyte Drink as Official Electrolyte Drink Sponsor, 2GO as Official Logistics and Courier Partner, and Sportograf as Official Sports Photography Partner. Supporting sponsors include Apo Agua, Davao Light, and Davao City Water District. Other sponsors and partners include FLIǪ Athletics, GU Energy, Manila Bulletin, Tempo, One Sports, Cignal, Santé, and Teresa Marble Corporation, with marketing partners Coca Cola and TADECO.
The BYD IRONMAN 70.3 Davao presented by Aboitiz is organized and produced by Sunrise Events Philippines in partnership with The IRONMAN Group.
For more information about the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Davao Triathlon, visit www.ironman.com/im703-davao or email sai.mayol@sunriseevents.com.ph
For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, please visit www.ironman.com.
