SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Over a thousand athletes will race to the finish in the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines 2023, Ironman 70.3 and Ironkids Philippines here on June 10-11, 2023, a day before the country celebrates its Independence Day.
The freeport will be the playground for athletes from 42 countries including the USA, Australia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Germany, Israel, South Africa, Sweden, Myanmar, and Singapore, who will join their Filipino brethren to race, this time, on a new bike and run course.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and administrator Jonathan D. Tan is looking forward to this weekend’s event as he “gun starts” the activities.
“One of our claims to fame is being the Triathlon Capital of the Philippines and we take pride in being a witness to the accomplishments of the Filipino Ironman. We are inspired by the athletes and organizers with this passion to bring out the best in themselves and the events, and we continue to promote Subic Bay as a nirvana for sports tourism because of that,” Tan said.
Three events will be held over the weekend — the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines, Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay, and the Ironkids Triathlon. The full distance Ironman Philippines race, set over a 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike and 42-km run, has been pegged as the race to be for Filipino athletes.
Greg Banzon, EVP and COO of Century Pacific Food Inc., wants the locals to have the opportunity to experience the honor and “Maging Ironman sa Sariling Bayan.” “It resonates with a lot of our local community. Being an Ironman in your playground is a source of pride,” said Banzon.
This year, Filipinos will have the chance to take part in the co-hosted Ironman World Championship events in Nice, France for the men’s race in September and in Kailu-Kona, Hawaii for the women’s race in October.
Regional director for the Ironman Group Princess Galura has brought a new challenge for the race. “Triathletes in both distances will relish the challenge of a different course this year – after a swim at the bay, the uphill battle of the past has been diverted to a flatter course. There will be many personal bests waiting to be achieved. Competitive athletes can expect a smooth and speedy racecourse as they vie for a championship title.”
Czech Petr Lukosz took the top honors in last year’s edition of the full distance Ironman Philippines at 9:52:34 with Filipino Jet Ramos finishing second overall at 10:39:48. Ines Santiago, who went on to become the first Filipina finisher in the Ironman World Championship in 2022, will be back this year after finishing 20th overall at 12:13:27.
