DAVAO CITY (PIA) — The 8-kilometer Bago Aplaya to Tulip Drive segment of the Davao City Coastal Road will be the venue of next year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Davao.
The swim and run course will be held at the coastal road with the bike route transitioning from the coastal road up to the Municipality of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur.
The new race course of Davao’s IRONMAN 70.3 will be different from the previous IRONMAN 70.3 races held in Davao which centered around the Azuela Cove business district with the bike course going to Tagum, Davao del Norte and the run course from Azuela to J.P. Laurel Avenue.
“Everything will happen in the coastal road, the swim will be at the water sa tapat (front) of the coastal road, ang transition natin doon mismo sa coastal road ang bike natin papunta Sta Cruz, and yung run natin papuntang Davao City using the Davao City Coastal Road,” says Princess Galura regional director of the IRONMAN Group Philippines.
She said the race routes will feature scenic views such as lush forests and Mt. Apo, the highest peak of the country.
“The stunning backdrop makes the challenging race visually appealing to participants and spectators,” Galura said.
Formally inaugurated on July 1, the Davao City Coastal Road is envisioned not just as a road network but also as a tourist attraction due to its panoramic beauty and the presence of large coastal parks, promenade and bike lanes.
The 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Davao will be held on August 11, 2024 and is expected to have 1,500 participants.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte of Davao City and Mayor Jose Nelson “Tata” Sala of Sta. Cruz both welcomed the holding of IRONMAN race within their respective localities.
“Davao City is very happy to have the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon here in our shores once again. The city is a stunning backdrop for a world-class race. The Dabawenyos are always up for supporting and contributing to the success of the event,” Mayor Duterte said during the formal announcement of the race held on October 26 at the Matina Enclaves Clubhouse.
He thanked Mayor Sala of Sta. Cruz for accepting the invitation to partner in hosting the race as it will both benefit the two local governments in terms of tourism promotions.
“Para ma-promote pud nato ang kanindot sa tibuok Davao Region mao pud na ang isa ka point sa IRONMAN (So we can promote the beauty of the whole Davao Region because that is also the point of the IRONMAN),” Duterte said.
(from left) Sta. Cruz Municipal Mayor Jose Nelson Sala, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and IRONMAN 70.3 organizer Princess Galura during the formal announcement of the Davao IRONMAN 70.3
The Davao City Mayor reminded the City Government to be ready for the event as August will be an “exhausting month” with the Kadayawan Festival also falling in the same month.
Mayor Sala said the hosting is a big privilege for the town and he thanked Sunrise Events (the company behind IRONMAN brand and races) and Davao City local government for considering them for the race.
“To be considered as the potential partner in hosting the prestigious race it is a rare privilege and honor. Lubos kaming nagagalak na naimbitahan na maging bahagi ng IRONMAN,” Mayor Sala said.
He added that Sta. Cruz will be ready for the very important event and will be working together with Davao City in preparing for IRONMAN.
“Kung unsa advise sa Davao City sa amo kay mura man mig isa ka pamilya… himoon sa Sta Cruz (Whatever Davao City will advise us because we are like one family, Sta Cruz will do it),” Mayor Sala said. (PIA/RG Alama)
