Great Alexander conquers Ironman 70.3

SUBIC, Philippines – The Craig Alexander Show finally unfurled in the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Pilipinas race.

Determined to complete an unfinished business in the race that he agonizingly missed last year due to injury, five-time world titlist Alexander put his legendary skills on display and claimed the coveted men’s pro crown at the expense of younger rivals.

The 42 year-old Alexander unleashed a blistering windup that left pacesetter Patrick Lange in his wake, surging past the German at the 13-kilometer mark of the run and maintaining at least a 400-meter lead en route to topping the $15,000 world championships-qualifying race in 3:48:56.

Lange, who led most of the way, checked in nearly two seconds later at the finish line in front of the Subic Convention Center. Last year’s winner Tim Reed of Australia also fell under Alexander spell and settled for the bronze in 3:52:28.

It was a triumph that was one-year-in-the-making at the former US base for Alexander. The veteran Australian triathlete fondly called “Crowie” was supposed to make his debut in Subic in 2015 but a bad back forced him to pull out at the last minute.

“I was determined to put up a good performance to repay Fred (Uytengsu of organizer Sunrise Events, Inc.). He’s always inviting me to be in their events and when I finally came last year, I wasn’t able to make it on the starting line,” said Alexander. “Hopefully I made up for that today.”

Alexander trailed after the 1.9K swim and 90K bike phases but shifted to high gear in the culminating 21K run.