PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — Over a thousand athletes from 40 countries are set to join the three-day Ironman 70.3 race in Puerto Princesa City, alongside the city’s celebration of Balayong Festival.
Princess Galura, general manager of Ironman Asia (Philippines), said that participants registered for the triathlon race, Ironman Kids, and Princesa Run from February 28 to March 2. They also assured that the water quality in Puerto Princesa waters is within the acceptable coliform level.
“We have tested the waters of Puerto Princesa in Jaywalk, together with Atty. Jerry Asis, we have tested six points of the swim course, and they are all within acceptable levels of DENR,” she said.
The race will start with the Princesa Run on Friday afternoon, February 28, with 600 participants. It will be followed by Ironman Kids on Saturday with 200 participants and a triathlon race with 450 foreign and Filipino triathletes.
This is the third time that the city will be hosting the race after 2023.
The organizer, Sunrise Events, doubled the number of participants for Ironman Kids and Princesa Run. The sports event also helped as a building ground for Filipino youth participating in international championship events.
Ironman Kids also helped children inspire and influence their parents to participate in sports activities such as running and swimming.
Mayor Lucilo Bayron said that aside from Ironman 70.3, the city has already experienced hosting big sports events, such as the world championship for dragon boat.
The sports event will also help boost the city’s economy. However, the city government has not yet provided an estimated amount.
“I am quite confident that it will turn out to be a very successful event,” he said.
Elite triathletes, who are joining the race, are from South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Canada, Germany, and South Africa.
The Ironman 70.3 Puerto Princesa will host the Badge Tally Competition, rewarding Ironman-affiliated TriClubs with points for every member who participates in the IRONMAN 70.3, 5150, and Sunrise Sprint events. These points contribute to cash rewards throughout the 2025 triathlon season, the organizer added.
The award amounts to ₱50,000 each for the first Filipino finisher (male and female) and ₱200,000 for the Ironman-affiliated TriClub with the most participants in the Ironman 70.3 and Sunrise Sprint races.
The City Traffic Management Office (CTMO) has issued the traffic rerouting and road closure advisory to ensure the safety of participating athletes on Sunday, March 3. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
