Davao City readies hosting of Ironman 2023

Aportadera said preparations are currently being finalized by the CSDD and the City Tourism Operations Office.

In a report from the City Information Office (CIO), Aportadera said the city’s previous hosting of the triathlon in 2018 and 2019 were successful due to the cooperation of the city’s private and public sectors as well as the neighboring local government units and municipalities. 

He said the same template will be followed in planning the Ironman 70.3.

These templates include 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 Plaza to Azuela Cove and back.

He said some public health guidelines will also be imposed. 

“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.

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, he said, 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. 

“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 expresses confidence that the security cluster will be able to replicate its stellar performance during the previous Ironman events.

The Ironman 70.3 triathlon race will be held on March 26.