Laoag City to Welcome Athletes for Inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag in March 2027

- Inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Laoag triathlon to take place on Sunday, 14 March 2027

- Laoag City becomes the newest destination on the Philippine IRONMAN circuit

- Registration opens August 25, 2026

LAOAG CITY, Philippines (August 19, 2026) – A new chapter in Philippine triathlon is set to begin as Laoag City welcomes the inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Laoag triathlon on Sunday, 14 March  2027, bringing one of the world’s most recognized endurance events to a destination rich in history, character and northern hospitality.

The newest addition to the Philippine IRONMAN circuit will showcase a different side of racing in the country, pairing a fast and accessible course with an immersive destination experience that introduces athletes and their families to the sights, flavours and culture of Laoag City.

New Roads. New Stories. One Unforgettable Race.

From the shores of Sadiri Beach to the wide northern roads and historic streets at the heart of the city, IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag will give athletes a race experience shaped by a destination where the old and new come naturally together.

As the capital city of Ilocos Norte and a gateway to the north, Laoag offers a distinctive blend of heritage and modern city life. Historic streets, local markets and long-standing Ilocano traditions sit alongside a growing café culture and contemporary energy, giving visitors plenty to discover beyond race day.

Known as The Sunshine City, Laoag brings a warm, almost always-summer character to race weekend. Athletes and their families can experience its local cuisine, culture and hospitality while using the city as a starting point to discover more of northern Luzon.

For athletes travelling from across the Philippines and overseas, the inaugural event presents the opportunity to be part of Laoag’s first IRONMAN 70.3 story and to experience the city not simply as a race venue, but as a destination worth discovering before and after the finish line.

Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Q. Alcid said the arrival of IRONMAN 70.3 represents an opportunity for the city to share the best of Laoag with a wider audience.

“We are proud to welcome IRONMAN 70.3 and the athletes, families and supporters who will come to experience Laoag City. This event gives us an opportunity to share what makes our city special, our history, our culture, our food, our people and the genuine warmth with which we welcome our visitors.

“We want every athlete who comes to Laoag to remember more than their race. We want them to remember the roads they travelled, the places they discovered, the food they enjoyed and the people they met along the way. We look forward to showing the IRONMAN community the very best of Laoag City and creating an inaugural race that our city can truly be proud of.”

Princess Galura of Sunrise Events, Inc. said Laoag adds a distinctive new race and destination experience to the Philippine IRONMAN calendar.

“We are especially excited for athletes to discover Laoag for the first time through IRONMAN 70.3. From the ocean swim and fast northern roads to the city finish and everything athletes can experience away from the course, this race is about creating new stories in a new destination. We are grateful to the City of Laoag and our local partners for sharing our vision and welcoming the IRONMAN community.”

Michelle Pepper, Managing Director of Asia-Pacific for The IRONMAN Group, said that the organisation was excited to be welcoming 

“We’re proud to have had IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon races in the Philippines since 2009,  it has been great to see the local triathlon community grow over the years, and for so many athletes from around the world to have experienced racing in the country during that time. The launch of IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag is an exciting development for the sport in the Philippines and we can’t wait for athletes to have the opportunity to race in a brand new location from 2027, with an incredible opportunity to experience the local hospitality and community.”  

A Brand-New Challenge

The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag will begin with a 1.9km single-lap ocean swim at Sadiri Beach in Barangay Calayab, within the Fort Ilocandia perimeter. Athletes will complete a clockwise swim before making their way to the first transition.

From there, the race opens onto a 90km single-lap bike course featuring predominantly flat terrain with sections of rolling hills. The course takes athletes out from the coast and onto wide northern roads before turning back towards Laoag City.

The final discipline brings racing into the city itself.

Athletes will take on a flat, two-loop 21.1km run through the streets of Laoag City, creating opportunities for the local community and supporters to experience the action before athletes make their final run into the Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium and cross the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag finish line.

The combination of an ocean swim, fast bike course and flat city run is expected to appeal to both athletes taking on their first IRONMAN 70.3 and experienced competitors searching for a new course and a new finish line.

Race. Stay. Discover Laoag.

IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag has been designed as more than a one-day sporting event, inviting athletes and their supporters to discover the character of Laoag City beyond the race course. Visitors can explore the city’s heritage through landmarks such as Laoag City Hall, Aurora Park, the Sinking Bell Tower and St. William’s Cathedral, experience the energy of the Laoag City Public Market, and sample local favourites including empanada, miki and traditional Ilocano cuisine. Adventure seekers can take on the Laoag Sand Dunes through 4x4 rides and sandboarding, while quieter moments can be spent enjoying the city’s cafés, coastal scenery and the shores of Sadiri Beach in Barangay Calayab. Together, these experiences give athletes the opportunity to turn race weekend into a true destination experience, one that brings together sport, history, food, adventure and the warm hospitality of Laoag City.

More Ways to Be Part of Race Weekend

Race weekend will also feature the Sunrise Sprint, offering a shorter-distance option comprising a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag will feature Individual and Relay categories, while the Sunrise Sprint will offer an Individual category.

Registration

Registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Laoag will open on 25 August 2026.  Additional race information, registration details and event updates will be available at www.ironman.com/races/im703-laoag. 

For more information about the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.