Showbiz’ celebrities, local and international race professionals participate in 2015 Ironman 70.3 triathlon in Mactan Island, Cebu
By Leony R. Garcia
Would you pay $325 (nearly Php15,000) to suffer nonstop for seven to eight hours? It’s completing the three major endurance sports- swimming, biking, and running. This year’s Ironman 70.3 edition consists of a 1.9 km Swim, 90 km bike, and the 21 km run.
Yet, thousands banded together in this somewhat modern-day version of hazing, all for the personal satisfaction of saying, “Yes, I’ve done it!”
For Dr. Gammy Urbi, the country’s pioneering Myofunctional Dentist and world renown speaker in preventive-interventive dentistry, his first Ironman experience
last year was a spiritual journey. “During the whole 10 months of preparation I experienced God’s abundant grace, love and mercy that carried me through the most difficult time especially when I met an accident as I was biking a week before the event. I had several stiches on my head and a back injury. Some of my friends and relatives discouraged me from pushing through with the race. Part of me was saying, just give up anyway I have a good excuse. I knew in my heart that this was not only about me. It’s about God’s mercy and grace that’s always new and fresh every day of our lives, Doc Urbi recalls.
Dr. Urbi and a host of other professionals from all walks of life join the 2015 Ironman event.
Meanwhile, showbiz personalities, local and international race professionals return in this year’s Cobra Ironman 70.3 triathlon held August 2 in Cebu City.
Organizers said that a total of 2,616 participants have enlisted to join the race which include former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button and Ironman champions Pete Jacobs, Caroline Steffen, and Alaska Tri-Aspire Team Coach Matt O’Halloran, and Filipino Elites Banjo Norte, and Jenny Guerrero.
It’s the 7th international triathlon tournament, the biggest sporting event in Cebu. The first three years were held in Camarines Sur (CamSur). After the venue had become too small to accommodate hundreds more who wanted to join, the event traveled south and landed in the Queen City of the South, that’s Cebu.
Ironman 70.3 is an international triathlon competition with 88 races taking place within the 2015-2016-race schedule with athletes from 52 different countries around the world. It offers a unique racing opportunity to old and aspiring triathletes at it challenges them to prove their mettle in completing the three major endurance sports- swimming, biking, and running.
Cebuano actor and triathlete Matteo Guidicelli returns to his hometown to race with close friend Ivan Carapiet. Guidicelli who was first known for his racing career has gotten into triathlon with his dad as his biggest influence. There’s also celebrity chef and blogger Erwan Heusaff, TV hosts Drew Arellano and Kim Atienza who are all active triathletes. Piolo Pascual on the other hand, joined the bike relay.
Guidicelli’s close friend, Eat Bulaga host Ryan Agoncillo, also participated in the Ironman 70.3 with wife, actress Judy Ann Santos, to support him.
The power couple also bumped into Maricel Laxa and husband Anthony Pangilinan, who are also in Cebu to race.
Isabelle Daza, an Ironman first timer, had her first big race and did a full triathlon. Other celebrities who signed up for the event were Victor Basa, Paul Jake Castillo, Solenn Heusaff, Senator Pia Cayetano , news anchor Raffy Tima, and 2015 FHM sexiest and Kapuso actress Jennylyn Mercado.
The finishers’ medals and winners’ trophies were designed by world-renowned furniture designer and proud Cebuano, Kenneth Cobonpue.
Guidicelli got the biggest trophy of his life as Ironman finisher – with a powerhug and a kiss from proud girlfriend Sarah Geronimo, the Pop Princess, who traveled all the way from Manila just to meet him at the finish line.
In his FaceBook page a day before Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 race, Urbi posted, “Our Christian life is very much like a race. Along the way, we experience doubt and fear in ourselves, yet, we overcome it with the help of God. At times we fall but we rise again, drawing on God’s mercy and grace that is always new and fresh every morning. We dedicate our life, our work, our endeavors not just for ourselves but for the service of God, to others and to our love ones. 2 Timothy 4:7-8, it says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” I thank the Lord for this wonderful gift of faith, healing and restoration. Ironman 70.3 done. To God be the glory!”
To all Ironman champions and finishers, congratulations from the PSR!
For more information, check out the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines website: www.ironman703phil.com.
