Mactan, Cebu—Running mom Caroline Steffen, defending champion Mauricio Mendez and veteran Tim Reed lead 20 professional triathletes who will compete for the top prize of the Regent Aguila IRONMAN 70.3 Powered by PhilAm Vitality here today.
Steffen, who’s the favorite to rule the women’s category, says she enjoys the challenge of balancing her life as a mother and as a triathlete even as she emphasized how much she loves racing here in the Philippines.
“It’s certainly not an easy task but I love it. I love the challenge of both. He is a great kid and I’m lucky to have him (baby Xander). It just gets better each year and that’s why I keep coming back. It’s quite unique. It’s hard to explain to people who haven’t been here before so just go out there and experience it yourself,” said Steffen during the Meet the Pros launch at The Marquee at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa yesterday.
Hungary’s Anna Eberhardt, Guam’s Manami IIjima, Aussies Dimity Lee Duke, Laura Wood and Amanda Wilson and Frankie Sanjana of Great Britain will compete against Steffen in the women’s category.
Mendez, who is also 2016 XTERRA world champion, expressed his excitement at racing in the Philippines, adding that he feels right at home.
“It’s just more fun to race here in the Philippines. It’s amazing. And it’s just a dream come true to race here. It’s different. It’s a lovely place. Lovely people and I just love it,” said Mendez.
“I always say that I’m the youngest one and I need to learn from those guys and everything but now it just feels more real and I’m super excited to be racing. I look forward to racing. I just wish luck for all of us.”
While Mendez is the favorite to repeat Reed, who has won multiple IRONMAN 70.3 titles including two Asia Pacific crowns, is more than capable of winning it all.
Like every other professional who has raced here Reed likewise reiterated how much he loved racing in the Philippines.
“This is a very special event for me. It’s no secret that I mark this down as one of my top priority races for the year and really build up for it properly. I think it’s so special to me, being part of the Alaska Tri Aspire team, one of the great privileges of my triathlon career. One way to honor that sponsorship is to race my best when I’m here. I always try to do that,” said Reed who added that running in the Philippines is always a big challenge especially because of the heat.
“I think the event attracts just great athletes to compete against. I think Mau (Mendez) is probably one of the best guys in the heat to run against. So he’s always a tough challenge,” said Reed.
“And then, of course, the atmosphere of the race is like no other event. And that always brings a smile to me just thinking about it. It’s always a buzz to have the crowd cheering for us.”
Tim Van Berkel, Braden Currie, Sam Betten, Luke McKenzie, Lindsey Lawry, Mitch Robins and Justin Ghosh, all from Australia; Bahrain’s Eric Watson; Bermuda’s Tyler Butterfield; and New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone will give Mendez and Reed a run for their money in the men’s category.
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.
For details, visit www.ironman.com/philippines70.3 with official hashtags #IM703Philippines, #AguilaIM703 with social media accounts (Facebook) aguilaIM703PH, (twitter) aguilaim703ph, (Instagram) aguilaim703ph.