This year’s edition of the world’s hardest one-day endurance race ends with one fatality.
A triathlete from Laguna died on Sunday after suffering from a cardiac arrest during the 1.9-km swim leg of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines race at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
The athlete was rushed to the Mactan Doctors’ Hospital after requiring medical assistance during that portion of the race. The victim, identified as Eric Mediavillo, was pronounced dead on arrival, Sun Star quoted Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Rommel Cabagnot as saying.
The organizers and athletes of the triathlon observed a moment of silence before the awarding to ceremony to show sympathy to the fallen athlete’s family and friends.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our athletes following the IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines in Cebu. Our condolences go out to the athlete’s family and friends, whom we will continue to support,” the organizer’s official statement read.
The race covers a 1.9-km. swim, 90-km. bike and a 21-km. run covering the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu, and Talisay.
In 2012, a triathlete died during the bike portion of the Cebu race.
Photo credit: cebuim703, Instagram
