CAGAYAN de Oro City — Triathletes will have a new full-distance challenge in Mindanao next year as Davao City hosts its first full IRONMAN race on June 13, 2027.
The IRONMAN Group announced Sept. 8 that Davao will become the new Philippine venue for the full-distance event, expanding on the city’s experience hosting the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao since 2018.
The race will feature a 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer bike ride and 42.2-kilometer run, covering a total distance of 226 kilometers.
The full IRONMAN will be held on the same weekend as the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao and Sunrise Sprint, giving athletes different race distances to choose from.
Coastal course
The full-distance race will center on the Davao City Coastal Road and Bago Aplaya Esplanade.
The swim will consist of two loops in the Davao Gulf. Athletes will then take on a three-loop, 180-kilometer bike course along MacArthur Highway and other city roads, including the Bucana Bridge over the Davao River.
The race will finish with a four-loop marathon course between Tulip Rotonda and Bago Aplaya Esplanade, with views of Mount Apo.
Organizers expect the race to attract athletes from the Philippines and abroad.
Michelle Pepper, managing director for Asia-Pacific of The IRONMAN Group, said the full-distance race reflects the growth of Davao’s triathlon community.
Princess Galura, president of Sunrise Events Inc., said the event will give local athletes a new endurance challenge while putting Davao on a bigger international racing stage.
