Betten makes it back-to-back in Regent 5150

SUBIC, Philippines – Towering Aussie Sam Betten scored back-to-back title romps in the Regent 5150 Triathlon on a hot Sunday, putting up a dominating performance that somehow erased the stigma of a heartbreaking campaign in a preceding race.

Out to redeem himself from a forgettable stint in the recent Vietnam Ironman 70.3, the 6-foot-4 Betten raced to a wire-to-wire triumph in the 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run race and proved he’s back to his winning form.

Betten checked in at 2:06:55 – nearly 15 minutes clear of his closest rival, compatriot Mitch Robins (2:21:27), who bucked two cases of flat tires to take silver. Slovak Michael Bucek came in third at 2:24:38.

“It’s tough to win any race and it’s even tougher to win it twice in a row so this is really very special,” said Betten.

The 28-year-old Betten was determined to get on track again after failing to finish the race in Vietnam.

“I had a tough race in Vietnam, that was really hard for me to swallow, and also  in the Ironman 70.3 held earlier this year here in Subic, where I didn’t get the result I wanted. So it’s always a bit of redemption to come back and have a good race (in your next tournament),” he said.

Betten was virtually unstoppable throughout, coming out of the swim at Acea beach first, negotiating the undulating and hot roads faster than everybody, and completing the run solo.

“I just had a good day out there,” said Betten, who got a trophy and a $2,000 prize for his feat.

Betten said he kept a controlled swim, rode “solid but not too crazy” and ran while keeping his heart rate “as slow as I could” so as not to burn himself much under the searing heat and humidity.

Equally impressive was Thailand-based New Zealander Amelia Watkinson, who won the women’s tiara with aplomb.

Watkinson covered the course in 2:10:59 – just a few minutes off  Betten and clearly outpacing even the other male pros –  to complete the runaway victory over Aussies Michelle Duffield (2:22:03) and Dimity-Lee Duke (2:24:38).

“I got my own space straight out of the gun, swam consistently and picked it up on the way home. I had a fast transition out on the bike and eased into it, making sure I kept the pace quite even,” she said.

Paul Jumamil topped the Filipino male elite category with 2:19:08 – the third best time across all divisions. August Benedicto crossed the finish line six seconds later for second while Banjo Norte (2:20:28) wound up No. 3.

Bohol pride Jumamil parried the challenge of Benedicto going home. “Binuhos ko na lahat ng lakas para manalo ako (I gave it all I had in the final stretch to win this).”

Maria Danielle Infantado (2:50:50) beat Amale Jopson (3:08:24) for the Filipino female elite plum in the local version of the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series.

Other backers of the event were 2GO Express as the official courier and logistics partner, venue hosts Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Traveler Hotel and Event Center and Acea Beach, sponsors Coca-Cola Femsa, Newton Running, Alaska, David’s Salon, Intercare, GU, Sante Barley, TYR, Department of Tourism – Tourism and Promotions Board, registration partner Active Network, media partners The Philippine STAR, TriLife Magazine, AsiaTri and Finisher Pix, marketing partners Cetaphil, Devant, Ford, Garmin, Omega Pro, PLDT Subictel, Sanicare, Walter Bread, Beer Below Zero, Miller Beer, AlcoPlus and hotel partners The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Court Meridian, Travelers Hotel, Subic Bay Yacht Club and Subic International Hotel.