The Philippines’ most awarded triathlon, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Philippines is now rebranded as the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu and is set to take place on Sunday, 21 April 2024.
The 2024 edition of the popular triathlon event featuring a 1.9km ocean swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run will start at the sandy beaches of The Mactan Newtown property in Lapu-Lapu City and will take the athletes towards the heritage streets of the Mactan Island, onto the bike course in the iconic CCLEX Bridge towards Cebu City and back to Lapu-Lapu City.
Known as the Crown Jewel of Asia, IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu has grown in prestige over the years. In previous years, slots for this race sold out within minutes of its opening as a testament to the remarkable experience and atmosphere that arise from the event.
Started in 2012, thousands from over 60 countries flocked to the Islands of Mactan and Cebu to either participate in the race or cheer the athletes on – making it both a competitive sporting event and a festive spectacle. Cebu has also hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship twice in three years, in 2016 and 2018. This race has also won a number of international and national awards including the Best Spectator Race in the World, voted by athletes in 2018 at the 40th year celebration of the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
“Lapu-Lapu has been an integral part of the IRONMAN 70.3 in Cebu which has attracted participants from around the world for 10 years. This time, we are very happy to host the event and showcase Lapu-Lapu’s beautiful locations and adventures that can only be experienced on our shores,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Quirante Chan.
“We work closely with the organizers of IRONMAN events work closely with coordinating traffic management, emergency services, medical facilities, and other necessary arrangements to ensure the safety and success of the races. The support of our local communities has been the epitome of Philippine hospitality and we look forward to a festive yet smooth positive experience for participants and spectators alike, the mayor added.
Last year’s staging became a grand comeback, with safety protocols in check, for the race since the 2020-2021 Pandemic break. The Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway, also known as the CCLEX, the new longest sea-crossing bridge in the Philippines, became a feature that has excited the athletes, which takes them to traverse from island to island in a looping course.
“With the IRONMAN 70.3 back in Lapu-Lapu from taking a hiatus last year, we look forward to the event fostering not only a wholesome event for families and the community to enjoy but the augmenting of local economies through increased international and local tourism. The Philippines, and Lapu-Lapu in particular is not only a tropical destination but a sports and adventure destination as well. We look forward to showcasing the amazing locations where the races take place,” Hon. Ma. Cynthia K. Chan, District Representative Lapu-Lapu City said of the event.
“This race has grown immensely over the last decade. Last year, we had close to 2,000 participants, which is a very high attendance rate for an event here in the Philippines, while still in soft lockdown. This year, we look forward to staging a full comeback to the festivities. The women’s field is growing, and we are looking forward to more participation from the women,” says Princess Galura, Regional Director of the IRONMAN Group Philippines. “Megaworld and the CCLEX have been key partners for us to stage the sought-after event and to welcome Lapu-Lapu City as the host of the next three years is fantastic for the sport,” she added.
The IRONMAN® 70.3® Lapu-Lapu will be part of The IRONMAN Group’s 2023-2024 Season Pass & Flex 90 offerings. The Season Pass gives athletes an opportunity to participate in multiple IRONMAN & 70.3 races across Oceania and Asia to save on every entry, while the Flex90 gives registrants the capacity to change race dates without the penalties of withdrawals.
The IRONMAN® 70.3® Lapu-Lapu is backed by Global Premier Partners Vinfast, Active, Gatorade, Hoka, Roka, and Breitling; with Global Technical Partners Athletic Brewing Co., Fulgaz, Hyperice, Qatar Airways, Red Bull, Santini, Wahoo; Asia Supplier Partners Always Advancing, Compressport, Ekoi and Nirvana; Media Partners Outside+ and Sportograf. Venue Host Lapu-Lapu City with Megaworld, CCLEX and Santé are set to back up the events.
