A mix of seasoned campaigners and rising endurance racing stars gear up for another riveting duel of power, speed and stamina when the Century Tuna (Full) IRONMAN Philippines and the IRONMAN 70.3 are held back in Subic Bay next month.

Close to a thousand bidders from at least 33 countries, including 33 from Japan and 15 from the US, have so far confirmed their participation with the total cast expected to double or triple with still four weeks left before the sport's centerpiece event fires off on 11 June at the world-class Subic Bay course.

The full IRONMAN PH race, set over the punishing 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-km bike and 42-km run distance, has lured an early roster of 339, including 89 bets in the 45-49 age group division.

Other age categories (male and female) are 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-and-above.

Five hundred and two triathletes, on the other hand, are listed in the early Subic IRONMAN 70.3 roster, including 92 in the 40-44 age bracket.

They will dispute the titles in various categories over the 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run.

"We are excited to provide these triathletes another great racing experience and at the same time showcase once more the best the country can offer," said Princess Galura, general manager of the organizing The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events Inc.

Also on tap is the IM 70.3 relay event.

SEI and Century Tuna staged the first full IRONMAN in 2018, also in the country's triathlon capital with Nick Baldwin from Seychelles ruling the event in eight hours, 50 minutes and 13 seconds and Aussie Liz Blatchford topping the women's division in nine hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds.

August Benedicto emerged the best Filipino finisher with a clocking of nine hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds.

Czech Petr Lukosz took the top honors in last year's edition of the full IRONMAN PH following a two-year break due to pandemic with local ace Ines Santiago scoring a wire-to-wire win in the distaff side.