The City Government of Davao, through the Davao City Sports Development Division (CSDD), called on both public and private sectors to cooperate in this year’s hosting of the Ironman 70.3 triathlon race, the preparations to which are currently being finalized by the CSDD and the City Tourism Operations Office.
CSDD Head Mikey Aportadera, in an interview during the MAdayaw Davao program aired over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday, said the city’s previous hosting of the triathlon in 2018 and 2019 were successful due to the cooperation of Davao City’s private and public sectors as well as the neighboring local government units and municipalities.
Aportadera said planning for Ironman 70.3 in 2023 will follow the same template (composed of 1.9-kilometer swim at the Davao Gulf, 90-km bike ride from Bajada in Davao City to Tagum City and back again, half-marathon 21-km 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.
Since the race route goes beyond city borders, Aportadera said territories in the North are again asked for their cooperation to which he attributed the success of the two previous Ironman races held in the city.
Anticipating the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors, the sports event is expected to increase activities in the hotel, restaurant, and other industries in the tourism sector as they will be welcoming a great number of new clients. The private sector, especially the tourism industry, is expected to put its best foot forward as the city takes center stage amidst a global audience.
As the city braces for the influx of visitors, accommodations and security logistics remain the primary concern of the local government.
“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 added that he was confident the city’s security cluster will be able to replicate its stellar performance during the previous Ironman events.
“Everybody was thankful na secure kaayo atong mga athletes, kay nakit-an nila na ang security nato murag I think every 15 to 20 meters naay security personnel all throughout the route (Everybody was thankful because our athletes were very secure,” he said.
The Ironman 70.3 tirathlon race will be held on March 26 this year. Registration for the event is still ongoing at: https://www.ironman.com/im703-davao-philippines-register CIO
