Globe Telecom tri-athletes to compete in 2013 Ironman 70.3 Philippines

The Globe Triathlon team

Leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom is set to field 17 full-time employees to compete with over 2,000 athletes in the 2013 Ironman 70.3 Philippines, the country’s premier endurance event slated on August 4-5, 2013 in Shangri-la Mactan, Cebu City.

                Team Globe is composed of 15 male and two female tri-athletes who are registered as individual participants for all three events – a 1.9-km swim in the open sea, a 90-km bike, and 21-km run.

                “With strong support from the company, the Globe triathlon team continues to be champions of employee volunteerism and evangelists of work-life balance.  Triathlon has become our lifestyle, encouraging healthy living, bonding with family and friends, motivation and challenge, as well as a driver for success,” said Team Captain Elmer Santiago.

Last year, six Globe athletes landed in the top 50 of their respective divisions and Santiago expects to do better this year.

                According to Santiago, the team has been preparing as early as the start of the year, with varying training programs based on individual preferences and abilities.  Majority has also joined tune up races leading to Ironman such as the recently concluded Century Tuna 5150 triathlon.

                “We occasionally ride our bikes as a team during weekends but generally train with various groups depending on logistics and time constraints,” he added.

                Globe is the official technology partner of the Ironman for the fifth straight year.  The company will provide high-speed broadband internet service during the event to enable participants and the public to chronicle the events through social networking such anytime they want.

Since its inception in 2009, Ironman 70.3 Philippines has become one of the most-anticipated sporting events in the country.  The number of participants continues to rise with about 2,150 athletes from 35 countries worldwide already signed up for the individual or relay competitions. 

The five biggest foreign delegations are expected to come from Singapore, Japan, Australia, US, and Hong Kong.  Being a World Triathlon Corporation sanctioned event, winners of Ironman 70.3 Philippines are entitled to slots in the World Championships on September 8, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.