DAVAO CITY – The three local government units in Davao and the organizers of the Alveo Ironman 70.3 are firming up the final preparation for the smooth hosting of the international triathlon event on March 25.
Minor repairs of the roads, especially the route of the Bike and Run Challenge from Davao City to Panabo and Tagum, are almost done to ensure a smooth course. The swim challenge will be held at the Azuela Cove in Lanang here.
Minor kinks in the event are also being addressed, said Dionisio Abude, chief of the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO). Close coordination for the flow of traffic is almost done, Abude said.
The CTTMO is ready to distribute flyers on the alternative routes and letters to establishments affected by the road closures will be sent next week.
The office is giving special attention to four Catholic churches along the route because the Ironman event falls on Palm Sunday and the port area in Sasa because cargo trucks will also be affected.
He said the stretch from the intersection of JP Laurel and R Castillo streets towards the north leading to Tagum City will be closed from 3 a.m. to 12:30 noon and the south bound lane from 3 a.m to 10:30 a.m.
Abude said the Carlos P. Garcia Highway or Diversion Road will remain open and vehicles can still use the Buhangin flyover towards the city center.
“We asked the understanding of the Dabawenyos. If they have no important business that day, just stay home during the time of the road closure,” he said.
Abude said the road closure will be closed for a total of 12 hours.
He said pedestrians are also advised to use available pedestrian overpasses while all other materials, parked cars will be removed at the owner’s expense.
Abude said coordination meetings were conducted with other stakeholders for the success of the event.
Ironman 70.3 is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corp. (WTC).
The “70.3” refers to the total distance in miles (113 km.) covered in the race – including the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike race, and the 13.1-mile run.
Prior to the launch of the 70.3 series in 2005, the WTC races were then known as Half Ironman.
An executive committee was created by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who sits as chair with Wilfred Uytengsu of Sunrise Events, to oversee the staging of the event and ensure its success.
The mayor was hopeful that through the event, Davao City’s scenic sights, its people, and abundant culture will be on full display to the world for renewed appreciation as to the sustainable progress the city and the entire country have achieved despite some challenges.
The mayor said the event will boost Davao City’s tourism industry, considering that the event is expected to draw local and foreign athletes.
About 2,000 are expected to visit Davao during the event.
The Ironman event was previously held in Camarines Sur and Cebu.
The Ironman 70.3 Davao is a special event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ironman in the Philippines. (Lilian Mellejor/PNA)
