Mactan Islang, Cebu—Everything went according to plan.
Tim Reed of Australia kept close to the leaders in the swim, rode the field off the road in the bike to erect a big lead which he protected until the end to rule the Regent Aguila IRONMAN 70.3 Powered by Philam Vitality held here yesterday, August 11.
Reed finished with a time of four hours, one minute and 23 seconds to win his fourth IRONMAN 70.3 in Cebu. He was followed by Mike Philips (4:02:09) of Switzerland, Tim van Berkel (4:03:12) of Australia and Jacub Langhammer (4:03:18) of the Czech Republic.
In the female pro category Caroline Steffen (4:24:10) of Switzerland won her sixth IRONMAN 70.3 in Cebu with a wire-to-wire victory over Dimity Lee Duke (4:36:48) and Courtney Gilfilan (4:39:18) both of Australia. Beth Mckenzie (4:54:55) of the US was fourth.
Two-time Southeast Asia Games triathlon gold medalist Nikko Huelgas (4:24:56) of the Philippines won the Asian Elite male while Alexandra Ganzon (5:43:31), also of the Philippines, won the Asian Elite female.
Reed trailed Lindsey Lawry, Eric Watson, Phillips and defending champion Mauricio Mendez after the swim. He took the lead early at the bike ride and held a six-minute advantage over his closest pursuer after the ride.
Mendez, still not fully recovered from an injury, bowed out after the bike ride.
Reed’s plan however almost backfired as the fast pace of the ride took its toll. Philips cut Reed’s six-minute advantage at the start of the run to less than a minute almost catching up to Reed who was slowed by cramps.
“I had cramps at kilometer 1 of the run. I couldn’t really run in my proper stride. The last three kilometers I was just shuffling. My hamstrings just kept cramping and cramping. I was so relieved to get to the finish line. It was really mind over matter today,” Reed said.
The eventual winner was visibly hurting towards the end and near the finish line even took a peek over his shoulder several times just to make sure that Philips was still far behind.
Terenzo Bozzone (4:06:01) of New Zealand was fifth; Justin Ghosh (4:15:39), Australia, sixth; Blake Kappler (4:16:18), Australia, seventh; Eric Watson (4:27:34), Bahrain, eighth; and Luke Mckenzie (4:27:34), Australia, ninth.
Reed said that if the race were held anywhere else he would have quit but he kept going because he was inspired by the cheers from crowds who lined the streets of Cebu watching him along the way.
“The crowd is the best of any triathlon in the world. It’s just an amazing atmosphere. It pushes you to the absolute limit. So I just can’t thank the crowd enough. The people of Cebu. The government of Cebu. Sunrise Events. It’s just such a special race for me,” said Reed.
For details about the past event, visit www.ironman.com/philippines70.3 with official hashtags #IM703Philippines, #AguilaIM703 with social media accounts (Facebook) aguilaIM703PH, (twitter) aguilaim703ph, (Instagram) aguilaim703ph.
Other backers of the Regent Aguila-sponsored event are Province of Cebu, City of Lapu Lapu and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Lungsod ng Mandaue, Dept. of Tourism, David’s Salon, Alaska, AlcoPlus, Borromeo Motoring Group, Cetaphil, DeVant, Timex, Sanicare, Regent, Motor Ace, Ever Bilena, Active Network, One Sports, Cignal, The Philippine Star, TriLife, AsiaTri and Finisher Pix.