Subic Bay – The Philippines’ biggest triathlon weekend returns to Subic Bay this June as the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines celebrates its fifth edition alongside the 10th anniversary of the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay, bringing together athletes from 46 countries for one of the largest endurance sports gatherings in the country. Inspired by the structure and tone of the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Davao pre-event release.
Since its inaugural staging in 2022, the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines has become a cornerstone event on the Philippine sporting calendar, producing more than 1,000 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship qualifiers while showcasing Subic Bay as one of Asia’s premier triathlon destinations.
The 2026 edition features the full-distance Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines, Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay, Birch Tree Adult Boost Sunrise Sprint, Birch Tree Adult Boost Sunrise Super Sprint, RLC Residences IRONKIDS, and the Underpants Run presented by Sun Life, creating a race weekend that welcomes everyone from first-time triathletes to experienced endurance athletes.
Athletes will race across some of the most iconic roads in Philippine triathlon, including the famed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), which continues to be one of the most memorable bike courses in Asia.
“This year represents a significant milestone for triathlon in the Philippines,” said Princess Galura, President and General Manager of Sunrise Events Philippines. “Five years of IRONMAN Philippines and ten years of IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay is a celebration of every athlete, volunteer, partner, and community member who has helped build these events into world-class race experiences. We are proud that Subic Bay continues to welcome athletes from around the world and showcase what Filipino hospitality is all about.”
“As we celebrate five years of IRONMAN Philippines and ten years of IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay, it’s inspiring to see how the Philippines has become one of the premier triathlon destinations in Asia. The passion of the athletes, the support of the community, and the commitment of our partners continue to make these events truly special.” said Carl Smith, Vice President of Operations, IRONMAN Asia.
“What started as a dream among Filipino triathletes has grown into one of the most successful endurance sports events in the region. Ten editions of IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay and five editions of Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines are proof of what can be achieved through strong partnerships, a passionate triathlon community, and a shared vision to bring world-class racing to our home country. For many years, Filipino athletes traveled the world to pursue their IRONMAN dreams. Today, athletes from around the world travel to the Philippines to race here. We are proud to have been part of that journey and grateful to our long-standing partners, especially SBMA and Sunrise Events, for helping make Subic Bay a true home of triathlon in the Philippines.” Said Greg Banzon, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Century Pacific Food Inc.
ATHLETES FROM 46 COUNTRIES TO COMPETE
The race weekend will welcome participants from 46 countries and territories, further reinforcing the Philippines’ growing reputation as a destination for international endurance sports.
Athletes will compete for:
- 40 qualifying slots to the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii
- 50 qualifying slots to the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France
The 2026 season also marks the return of the IRONMAN World Championship to Kona for both men and women, making qualification even more significant for age-group athletes.
CRAIG “CROWIE” ALEXANDER HEADLINES RACE WEEK
Adding to the excitement is the participation of five-time world champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander, who will take part in a series of athlete activities throughout race week, including a Training and Race Nutrition Talk, Bike Out around Subic Bay, and First Timer Session.
Alexander’s presence provides athletes with the opportunity to learn from one of the most accomplished triathletes in the history of the sport.
A FULL WEEKEND OF TRIATHLON AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Race week extends beyond race day, transforming Subic Bay into a festival of sport and community.
Highlights include:
Underpants Run Presented by Sun Life
The Underpants Run presented by Sun Life returns on Friday evening, giving athletes a fun and relaxed opportunity to shake out their legs before race day.
A long-standing IRONMAN tradition around the world, the event brings together athletes, supporters, and families for a lighthearted run through Subic Bay as race weekend excitement reaches its peak. Whether participants are racing the IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3, Sunrise Sprint, or cheering from the sidelines, the Underpants Run offers a chance to connect with the community, enjoy the atmosphere, and celebrate the journey leading up to race day.
As one of the most anticipated social events of the weekend, the Underpants Run reflects the camaraderie, friendship, and sense of fun that make the IRONMAN experience unique both on and off the race course.
RLC Residences IRONKIDS
The future of endurance sport takes center stage at the RLC Residences IRONKIDS, where hundreds of young athletes will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of race day in a safe and supportive environment.
Featuring both triathlon and running categories for children of different ages, IRONKIDS encourages healthy lifestyles, active living, and confidence-building through sport. For many participants, it serves as their first introduction to multisport competition, while for others, it is an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of parents and family members competing during the weekend.
As one of the most inspiring events of race week, IRONKIDS showcases the next generation of athletes and reinforces the values of perseverance, discipline, and family participation that are at the heart of the IRONMAN experience.
Birch Tree Adult Boost Sunrise Sprint and Super Sprint
The Birch Tree Adult Boost Sunrise Sprint and Super Sprint continue to play an important role in growing the sport of triathlon in the Philippines by providing an accessible pathway for aspiring athletes to enter the sport.
Designed for beginners, first-time triathletes, and those looking to experience the atmosphere of an IRONMAN race weekend, the events offer shorter race distances while delivering the same sense of accomplishment that comes with crossing an IRONMAN finish line.
Many athletes who race the Sunrise Sprint and Super Sprint eventually progress to longer distances, making these events an important stepping stone in the athlete journey. By welcoming newcomers into the sport, the Sunrise Sprint weekend helps ensure the continued growth of triathlon in the Philippines for years to come.
PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION FILIPINO ELITE CATEGORY RETURNS
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Filipino Elite Category returns to the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines, providing the country’s top triathletes an opportunity to compete for national recognition and cash incentives while racing alongside a world-class international field.
Designed to support the development of elite Filipino endurance athletes, the category highlights the depth of local talent and serves as a platform for athletes aspiring to represent the Philippines on the international stage.
This year’s Filipino Elite champions will each receive PHP 25,000, with the top male and top female athletes earning recognition as the country’s premier performers over the iconic IRONMAN distance.
The initiative reflects the continued commitment of the Philippine Sports Commission, Sunrise Events Philippines, and IRONMAN to help strengthen the local triathlon pathway and inspire the next generation of Filipino endurance athletes.
Team Tents Competition
Triathlon clubs from across the country will once again bring color, creativity, and energy to the race venue through the Team Tents Competition.
Ten clubs will compete for bragging rights while creating a vibrant atmosphere for athletes, families, and supporters throughout race day.
Participating teams include:
- San Miguel Corporation Opus Land Multisport
- GAS Coaching
- Baguio Benguet
- Next Step Tri x Santé Barley Tri Team
- Fit PH
- MCC Tri Striders
- Tri Mac
- Radenta Tech / Subic Grand Harbor Hotel
- Richboyz
- UCanTri
BRATION OF SPORT, TOURISM, AND FILIPINO PRIDE
Over the past decade, Subic Bay has become synonymous with triathlon in the Philippines, hosting thousands of athletes from around the world while generating significant economic and tourism benefits for the region.
The event continues to highlight the country’s ability to host world-class sporting events while promoting healthy lifestyles, sports tourism, and community participation.
From the first-time triathlete crossing a finish line to the athlete chasing a World Championship qualification slot, the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines race weekend embodies the spirit that has defined the sport for generations:
Anything Is Possible.
SUPPORTED BY VALUED PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
The Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines race weekend is made possible through the support of its valued partners and sponsors.
Century Tuna serves as the Title Sponsor of both Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines and Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay.
Birch Tree Adult Boost serves as the Title Sponsor of the Sunrise Sprint and Sunrise Super Sprint events, while RLC Residences continues its support of the next generation of athletes as Title Sponsor of IRONKIDS Subic Bay. Sun Life returns as Presenting Partner of the Underpants Run.
The event is hosted in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and is supported by key government agencies including the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NSTIC).
Official partners include RŌKA as Official Swim Sponsor, Amlan as Official Water Sponsor, ION+ Advanced Electrolyte Drink as Official Electrolyte Drink Sponsor, 2GO as Official Logistics and Courier Partner, and Sportograf as Official Sports Photography Partner.
Additional event partners and sponsors include FLIQ Athletics, GU Energy, Manila Bulletin, Tempo, One Sports, Cignal, Santé, Teresa Marble Corporation, and Coca-Cola.
The Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines and Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay are organized and produced by Sunrise Events Philippines in partnership with The IRONMAN Group. For more information about the 2026 Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines & Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon, visit https://www.ironman.com/races/im-philippines or email sai.mayol@sunriseevents.com.ph
