World’s Top Triathletes Attend Ironman 70.3 Triathlon

Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 marked history as it was attended by over 20 world’s top triathletes, showbiz celebrities and triathlon enthusiasts internationally.

Among the world’s top triathletes who attended were world pro champions, Craig “Crowie” Alexander, Pete Jacobs, Brent McMahon and Caroline Steffen. Showbiz celebrities like Piolo Pascual, Matteo Guidicelli, and Paul Jake Castillo also joined the hype of the event, while pursuing personal health goals.

All in all, 2,618 participants were recorded representing 52 countries across 6 continents of the world. During the online registration, it took only 40 minutes to have all slots booked, with around 500 interested triathlon enthusiasts on waiting list.

Considered as the Crown Jewel of Asia, Ironman 70.3 proved to have grown in “prestige and stature” as it staged a supreme thrilling and fun swim-bike-run experience for the 7th time around since it started in 2009.

“It was a tough race. But tough races are always most memorable. The local community was awesome. There were thousands of people lining the way. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. The crowd out there made it special,” Tim Reed, Australian national 2016 Ironman 70.3 champion said.

During Sunday’s event, it was announced that on August 7, 2016, the 2016 Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship triathlon will be held in Cebu, Philippines and would then take rounds throughout Asia Pacific regions.

“It’s an exciting time for the sport of triathlon in Asia-Pacific. With our ongoing expansion in Asia that includes 14 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events combined with tens of thousands of athletes living and competing in the region – it’s the right time to host a championship race here,” Geoff Meyer, Chief Executive Officer for IRONMAN Asia-Pacific said.

“Cebu also hosted the successful IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines triathlon for the past five years – and will provide our athletes a beautiful and challenging championship course,” Meyer added.

Hosted at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, participants and guests were treated to a fiesta-like atmosphere to cap the Ironman 70.3 as part of Cebu’s festival.

Sunrise Events Inc., the event’s organizer, also mounted a world-class Triathlon Expo with over 36 exhibitors for participating triathletes and non-triathlete guests, making it the biggest expo in Asia Pacific.

THE RESULTS

PRO OVERALL

For the Male category, Australian nationa Tim Reed (#8) got the first place in 3 hrs 46 mins 03 seconds, followed by Australian national Tim Van Berkel (#6) in 2-second later than Reed (3 hrs 46 mins 05 seconds). On the other hand, Canadian national Brent Mcmahon, the defending champion, settled this time in third place in 3 hrs 50 mins 23 seconds record.

For the Female category, Sweden national Caroline Steffen remained undefeated in 4 hrs 23 mins 54 seconds record followed by American national Beth Gerdes in a 4 hrs 29 mins 07 seconds record. Australian national Dimity-Lee Duke however completed the top 3 in 4 hrs 29 mins 36 seconds record.

FILIPINO ELITE

For the Male category, August Benedicto led the race in 4 hrs 28 mins 36 seconds record. John Philip Duenas, also finished as the runner-up in 4 hrs 28 mins 42 seconds. Taking the third place, Banjo Norte got 4 hrs 29 mins 05 seconds record.

For the Female category, Monica Torres got the first place in 4 hrs 39 mins 37 seconds record. Maria Hodges finished second in 4 hrs 53 mins 09 seconds and Lc Langit finished third in 5 hrs 5 mins 30 seconds.