Cebuano Triathlete died in Ironman 70.3 on August 5, 2012

Ironman 70.3 participant Ramon Igaña Jr. unexpectedly died after he fell off his bike and hit his head on the gutter along the South Coastal road in Cebu City, Philippines. It was a shocking moment that happened around 9:30 a.m. of August 5, 2012 (Sunday) while the cyclist was attempting to get a water bottle from his bottle cage. He was 45.

Ironman 70.3 Philippines had two categories: individual and relay. A Cebuano airline executive, Igaña (bike) registered for the relay category of the sports event sponsored by Cobra Energy Drink, together with his wife, Humility Igaña (run), and Benjamin Balaoro Jr. (swim). Their team was named TTB Extreme with race number R399.

The Ironman is a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation. It consists of a 2.4-mile (3.86 kilometer) swim, 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and 26.2-mile (42.2 km) run.

The Ironman 70.3 race in Cebu was also known as Half-Ironman. The “70.3” refers to the total distance in miles covered in the middle distance triathlon race – 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim on an open sea in Mactan, a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run. 

A marshal who was at the incident immediately called the medics. Igaña was rushed to Chong Hua Hospital but unfortunately, doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. His body was being autopsied.

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