World champs returning in Ironman CamSur event

Former world champion and last year’s Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines winner Terenzo Bozzone of New Zealand and 2000 Sydney Olympics silver medalist Michellie Jones of the United States are the top favorites when the grueling triathlon competition returns to Camarines Sur on August 22. The 70.3 mile contest--1.2-mile swim (1.9-km), 56-mile bike (90-km) and 13.1-mile run (21.1-km)—will start and end at the Camarines Watersports Complex (CWC). It will pass through and around 25 villages where a fiesta-like atmosphere is expected to greet the 841 participants (604 individuals and 79 relay teams of three members each). The course will begin with swimmers diving into the cable park lagoon, a freshwater man-made lake, and swim for 1.2 miles. They will then get on their bikes and pedal through the national highway, where a spectacular view of Mount Isarog awaits them. When they reach the end of the 56-mile course, they will run down the national highway towards Naga City on a 13.1-mile race and back to the CWC. The number of registrants exceeded last year’s 583 triathletes. “If not for space constraints, we would have wanted to accommodate more than 1,000," said Wilfred Uytengsu Jr., president of organizing Sunrise Events Inc., during Tuesday’s media briefing at Ballroom B of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. Bozzone, the 2008 World Ironman king, submitted a time of three hours, 51 minutes and 25 seconds to beat Ironman Hawaii world champion Chris McCormack (3:52:18) and Cameron Brown (3:52:31). Brown is again entered this year. Women’s champion and 11-time Ironman winner Lisa Bentley of Canada (4:24:29) and the rest of the international female cast last year are not competing this time. A pre-need executive, 52-year-old Miguel Vasquez of the prominent Madrigal clan, succumbed to stroke last year in the swim event. Uytengsu said it was an unfortunate incident that nobody wanted to happen and they are adding more safety measures this year, like additional divers and lifeguards after every 100 meters. This year’s event will also be more spectator-friendly, with more spaces allotted for those wishing to follow every bit of the exciting action. Still, organizers are undeterred, raring to build up on last year’s successful staging, which was hailed by the foreign field as the “best first-time Ironman event." “The foreigners are very grateful for the Filipino hospitality," said Uytengsu. “They were so happy for being treated like rock stars." Leading the local crew is 2009’s top Filipino finisher Noy Jopson, whose 4:38:32 clocking was the 14th best time overall. "Even if I never win another race again in my life, I'd still be happy with what I've accomplished in the sport because I can call myself an Ironman," said the 35-year-old Jopson, a former Asian junior champion. Other prominent Filipino entries are business tycoon Fernando Zobel, Sen. Pia Cayetano and show business personalities Piolo Pascual and Drew Arellano. The day before the event, the Alaska Ironkids for children aged 6 to 14 years old will be held inside CWC. “What happens on the race course is up to the athletes," said Uytengsu. “The rest is up to us." -RCJ/Perry C. Legaspi, GMANews.TV