Over 1,000 participants from 39 countries represent top TriClubs in Asia
The second staging of the IRONMAN®-branded event will witness a congregation of triathlon teams in the spirit of competition and community, as Puerto Princesa hosts the Asia TriClub and Relay Championship on Sunday, November 12, 2023.
Located at the heart of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is a flourishing tropical paradise, stepping onto its shores feels like stepping into a photo of an exotic getaway. This week, the ‘Princess of Ports’ becomes the arena where TriClubs will race for the distinction of being the top IRONMAN TriClub in Asia.
“We are very excited to return to Puerto Princesa for the 2023 Asia TriClub Championship,” said IRONMAN Asia Managing Director Jeff Edwards. “The first year of this event in Puerto Princesa has brought athletes from all over the world to experience the unique experience and vibrant natural surroundings Puerto Princesa has to offer. This year, we welcome TriClubs all over the world to enjoy the festivities and celebrate camaraderie and teamwork, which in the core of IRONMAN.”
TriClubs from the Philippines, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong, as well as representatives from 27 other countries from around the world a will be racing in a competitive yet festive atmosphere. A total of 33 countries will be participating in the event.
Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron has been on top of the preparations for the event and is looking forward to welcoming athletes.
“On behalf of Puerto Princesa City, I would like to thank IRONMAN for giving us the honour of being the first and only Asia TriClub Championship and Asia Relay Championship as we hold the IRONMAN 70.3 for the second year,” he said.
The Mayor announced prize money of Php500,000 will be awarded to the winner of the Asia TriClub Championship, plus cash awards for age group and category winners, courtesy of Puerto Princesa City.
Top athletes from the host country and international contenders are gearing up for the win – John Alcala vies for a repeat from his win the previous year; while Eric Vander Linden, a Dutch Olympian and Tri Coach, IRONMAN 70.3 Asian Elite Champ Banjo Norte of the Philippines, Sprint Champ Dai Matsui of Japan and Men’s Open Champ Aday Alvarez Diez De Ulzurrun of Spain are up in Alcala’s heels.
With competition heating up, slots for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupõ, New Zealand is a significant motivation for all the age-group athletes as IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa serves as a qualifying race for the 14-15 December 2024 event. There will be 40 age group slots up for grabs and 15additional slots have been added for Women For Tri, an IRONMAN initiative to encourage participation of women in the sport. The 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupõ is poised to be the staging of the biggest women’s participation in triathlon.
“The opportunity to take an IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship slot in Puerto Princesa has drawn many participants in. Racing a World Championship event organized by a world-class team is within reach,” said Princess Galura, Regional Director of the IRONMAN Group Philippines. “We have 55 slots to give away – that means 55 people from this race will be in the World Championship course in New Zealand next year,” she added.
This weekend in Puerto Princesa, side events will be keeping the festivities up – the IRONKIDS aquathlon and Princesa Run. The popular IRONKIDS event has already sold out , but the Princesa Run is still open – both for men and women to take part in. The 5km Fun Run will start at the Palawan Sports Complex heading towards the South Road – participants will get the most unique inclusions – a tiara and crop top hoodie!
The IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa 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 is the City of Puerto Princesa,and Event Partners Lightwater, RLC Residences, Sante, Prudential Guarantee, Regent, The Philippine Star, One Sports+ and Cignal.
