Crowie faces tough field in Ironman 70.3 triathlon

SUBIC, Philippines – Multi-titled Australian Craig “Crowie” Alexander looks to add a race in the Philippines to his vast collection of conquests today when he leads a stellar record cast of contenders in the inaugural Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Triathlon here.

Alexander, owner of three Ironman world titles and two Ironman 70.3 diadems, seeks to play true to form in the competition that drew the largest assembly of elite pros in the Philippines, including two compatriots, Tim Reed, the reigning Asia-Pacific titlist, and Luke McKenzie, who had been victorious in a previous 5150 Triathlon event in Subic before.

“I’m looking forward to experiencing a new race in what I have heard as a beautiful place,” said the 41-year-old Alexander, who’s racing for the first time in the country.

Reed, another first-time Phl visitor, aims to make an immediate impact in the 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run as he guns for a good followup to his AsPac triumph.

“It’s been a great couple of years for me, I’m finally starting to reap the rewards from the hard work I’m putting in and I hope to sustain that,” said the Aussie, who placed seventh overall in the 2014 Ironman 70.3 worlds.

For McKenzie, it would be a homecoming of sorts as he returns to the site of his victory in the Olympic distance two years ago.

“I thoroughly enjoyed that experience so when I heard Subic Bay will have a 70.3, I really wanted to come,” he said.

Josh Amberger, Dan Brown, Christoph Schlagbauer, Christoph Knossalla, Tim Green, Matthias Knossala, Ceric Lassonde are also in the mix in the chase for the top plum in the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.

The battle for supremacy over at the distaff side is as exciting and tough with Swiss Caroline Steffen, three-peat champion in previous Ironman 70.3 races in the country, Belinda Granger, Emma Bilham, Katy Duffield, Emi Sakai, Parys Edwards, Ali Fitch, Carol Fuchs, Dimity Lee-Duke, Beth Gerdes signed up.

Sunrise chief Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Century Canning Corp. GM Greg Banzon, and SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia, who unveiled the colorful jeepney-shaped medals and trophies during the meet-and-greet with the pros, said they expect a “great race” amid a hot Sunday morning today.

Prior to attending a meet and greet, Alexander and some of the top pros checked out the action in yesterday’s Alaska IronKids Triathlon I and helped out in feting the winners led by Brent Valelo of Team Yellow Cab and Nicole Danielle Eijansantos, the topnotchers of the 13-14 age brackets.

The 14-year-old Valelo negotiated the 300m swim, 9K bike, 2K race that started at WOW Swimming Pool and ended at Remy Field in 30 minutes and 21 seconds to beat Sabino Mangalicmot (31:43) and John Caleb Barlin (31:59) in his last IronKids triathlon stint while Asian championships veteran Eijansantos logged 34:52 in the girls’ side, outclassing Christine Levi Gaspar (35:49) and Una Janius Sibayan (36:52).

Juan Francisco Baniqued (33:56) in boys’ 11-12; Tara Borlain (34:08), who beat big sister Samantha (34:38) in girls’ 11-12; Mark Grist (17:17:16) in boys’ 9-10; Dayshaun Ramos (19:45) in boys’ 6-8; and Justicia Mariearl Tan (21:33) in girls’ 6-8 completed the honor roll. 

The Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 is produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and made possible through the support of a number of sponsors and partners, including Vita Coco, Gatorade, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Manila North Tollways Corporation, North Luzon Expressway, 2Go Express, Century Bangus, Saucony, Sante Barley, Department of Tourism, Tourism and Promotions Board of the Philippines, Prudential Guarantee, Timex, David’s Salon, Premier Water, Mini Cooper, Autohub, Belo Skin Care, The Philippine STAR, Endurance Magazine, Smart Communications, PLDT Subictel, Intercare, FinisherPix, Shotz, Devant, OLX and Video Sonic.