In an interview on Tuesday's Madayaw Davao program, CSDD Head Mikey Aportadera said the city's previous hosting of the triathlon in 2018 and 2019 was successful due to the cooperation of Davao City's private and public sectors, as well as neighboring local government units and municipalities.
Aportadera stated that Ironman 70.3 in 2023 will follow the same template (1.9-kilometer swim in the Davao Gulf, 90-kilometer bike ride from Bajada in Davao City to Tagum City and back, half-marathon 21-kilometer run from Victoria Plaze to Azuela Cove and back), with the addition of some public health guidelines.
“Probably there would be some revisions on how the new normal would be implemented sa atoang Ironman events, kay since mura man gyud ni siyag piyesta gyud ang iyang atmosphere kay tungod daghan kaayog mga bisita muabot (Probably there would be some revisions on how the new normal would be implemented to our Ironman events, since it has a festival-like atmosphere since a lot of visitors will be flying in),” Aportadera said.
Because the race route extends beyond city limits, Aportadera stated that territories in the north are being asked for their cooperation, which he attributes to the success of the city's two previous Ironman races.
With tens of thousands of visitors expected, the sports event is expected to boost activity in the hotel, restaurant, and other tourism-related industries as they welcome a large number of new customers. As the city takes center stage in front of a global audience, the private sector, particularly the tourism industry, is expected to put its best foot forward.
As the city prepares for the influx of visitors, the city government's primary concern remains lodging and security logistics.
“Hagit gyud na sa atoa sa siyudad sa Davao as a whole, kung unsaon nato pag-welcome usab sa daghang mga bisita sa pag-abot sa panahon (This really is a challenge for Davao as a whole—how we will once again welcome this many visitors when the time comes),” he said.
Aportadera also expressed confidence that the city's security cluster will be able to repeat its stellar performance at previous Ironman events.
"Everyone was thankful because our athletes were very secure," he said. "Everyone was thankful because our athletes were very secure," he said. "Everyone was thankful because our athletes were very secure," he said.
This year's Ironman 70.3 tirathlon race will take place on March 26th, and registration is still open at: https://www.ironman.com/im703-davao-philippines-register.
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