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Friday, March 29, 2024

Reed targets Cobra IRONMAN three-peat

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LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu —This year’s biggest and best triathlon competition in the country, the 2017 Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines, reels off today, Sunday at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa with defending champion Tim Reed eyeing a rare “three-peat” against an elite field.

Reed wore down world-class competitors to rule the first IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship. He also won the contest the year before to complete a back-to-back romp in the 1.9k-swim, 90k-bike, 21-k run event at the Ironman 70.3 here. 

Reed likes his chances to gain a third consecutive title but conceded that this year has the toughest field of rivals yet, led by his compatriot Tim Van Berkel, the winner of this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Vietnam, as well reigning Xterra world titlist Mauricio Mendez of Mexico and three-time Regent 5150 winner Sam Betten. 

Meet the pros. Some of the top professional triathletes in world gather during the press launch of the 2017 Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 Philippines at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa, yesterday, Aug. 5.

“This time of the year, I’m extremely fit. I built my season getting strong and ready to race. I saw the start list and it makes me excited. When you got good guys alongside you, they push you to a level you wouldn’t do if they weren’t there. We’ll make each other race a lot better,” said Reed. 

The Australian is already one of the best in the world but actually continues to improve every year. Not known to be the best swimmer in triathlon competitions Reed surprised all the experts during the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship on the Sunshine Coast of Australia with a powerful swim leg and eventual victory. 

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Close to 3,000 triathletes from a record field of 52 countries will see action in the country’s premier triathlon produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. with title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink and backed by presentor Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and Summit Natural Drinking Water, the official hydration partner. 

Elite professionals and the best age groupers will compete not just for the top $5,000 purse in the men’s and women’s divisions but also for 30 coveted slots in the world tilt slated in Mandela Bay, South Africa next year. 

Sunrise Events founder and Alaska Milk president and CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu said the competition has grown from just a race to a social and economic event which benefits the public. 

Tim Reed raises his hands in triumph after winning his first Cobra Energy Drink IRONMAN 70.3 in this file photo.

“We’ve changed so many lives. These are people who came out of the couch to swim, run and bike. We are creating a healthier nation. We’re welcoming tourists through sports tourism not just in Cebu but throughout Philippines,” said Uytengsu.   

“All these are made possible because of the support of the sponsors like Cobra Energy Drink who have been with us all of these years as well as the outstanding cast of professional triathletes who come to Cebu year in and year out.” 

Among these professional triathletes are Braden Currie, Eddie Rawles and Callum Millward of New Zealand, David Mainwaring, Alexander Polizzi and Luke Bell of Australia, Americans Brad Williams and Iain Alexandridis, Czech Jakub Langhammer, Johan Stofberg of South Africa, Italian Jonathan Ciavatella and Eric Watson of Bahrain who are all eager to beat Reed. 

Dimity-Lee Duke, in the absence of perennial champion Caroline Steffen who will compete in the relay instead of the full race, looms as the woman to beat. 

Providing Duke plenty of challenge for the women’s crown are Jacqueline Thisleton, Alise Selsmark, Kirra Seidel, Monica Juhart and Kerry Mulholland, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson. 

Local bet Kim Kilgroe will participate although a realistic goal for her is to improve on her 10th place finish in her rookie season last year. 

“I’m feeling good. I am excited to be back racing with amazing athletes. I am grateful to be with this kind of caliber field. I am proud to represent my heritage. It’s an exciting weekend for me and I’m looking forward to it,” said Kilgroe.

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