In 40 hours, Ponferrada rules 210km ultra race
to maintain our 100 percent finish rate. I’m proud to say that since we first took part in the Ironman seven years ago, none of us had a DNF (did not finish) mark,” said Choachuy.
This year, Metafit got a big boost with the entry of Air Spencer, Isuzu and Altra running shoes as their corporate backers.
“Although their products are not involved in sports, Air Spencer is committed to supporting the triathlon community, not only the athletes but also in backing up local races in Cebu,” said Metafit team captain Fritz Co.
Meanwhile, a new threeloop race at the MactanMandaue bridge gives the bike stage a different look in the country’s premier endurance race.
The organizing Sunrise Events, Inc. has decided to use the new route for the bike part of the 1.9km swim-90km bike-21.2km run event so
Cebuano Villy Ponferrada reigned supreme in the third edition of Cebu Southwest Ultramarathon, a grueling 210-kilometer race that started in Santander, Cebu and ended at the Plaza Independencia.
The 31-year-old Ponferrada emerged as the overall champion after completing the lung-busting action with the best time of 40 hours, four minutes and 25 seconds.
Alwalid Darry from Jolo, Sulu wound up second with a time of 41:23:43, while another Cebuano entry Lope Noay settled for third with a 41:35:55 clocking.
In the women’s division, Marjorie Jore snared the crown with as not to affect thousands of commuters due to the ongoing construction of the South Road Properties along the South Coastal Road which links Cebu City’s SRP to Talisay City.
“We think the new bike stage further adds thrill to the event. Now it has been changed to three loops from the usual M-loop using the SRP. The participants will now traverse the MactanMandaue bridge six times,” said Princess Galura, general manager of SEI, also the producer of the annual event presented by Aguila Energy Drink and Regent Food Corp.
The SCR had traditionally been part of the route for the 90km bike segment of the internationally renowned race.
With a record stellar cast ready and raring to dispute top honors in the premier pro division, Galura expects a spirited battle from start to finish of the event backed by a time of 42 hours, 33 minutes and 15 seconds. Her lone rival Adelisa Montesclaros clocked in 46:17:40.
Overall, Jore finished fourth, while Monstesclaros placed 10th.
Rounding up the finishers were Ranel Torreon (43:48:30), Muktader Absara (43:48:50), Jussel Ramirez (44:54:45), Marlon Baay (44:54:50), Phillip Migallos (46:17:35), Miguel Ambrad (46:39:20), Shur Dolina (46:54:45), Ronnie Gravoso (46:55:05), Romar Regala (46:55:53) and Najib Julkipli (47:15:40).
Race director Edwin Colina of Hardcore Events said only two out of 17 entries did not finish the race. —
Gloreitta T. Lariosa
presenting sponsors Alaska Milk Corp., Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board Phl and held as part of SEI’s celebration of its decade-long staging of Ironman events in the country.
“It will be a very good pro race since we have the best of the best for male and female,” she said. “We look forward to hearing feedback from the participants, particularly on the bike course.”
Aussie ace Tim Reed, winner here the last three years, headlines the star-studded men’s pro roster that includes Sam Betten, another top Aussie triathlete who considers Ironman 70.3 Cebu as one of the best Ironman events in the world, Kevin Collington, Brad Williams, Matt Burton, Luke McKenzie, Braden Currie, Matthew Chrabot, Josh Amberger, Nathan Groch and Brent McMahon.
Also in the title hunt are Mike Phillips, Casey Munro, Michael Raelert, Jakub Langhammer, David Mainwaring and Tyler Butterfield – all raring to prove their worth in the blue-ribbon event supported by venue hosts Province of Cebu, City of Lapu-Lapu and ShangriLa’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
Czech Radka Kahlefeldt, winner of the Ironman 70.3 Subic last year and the first Ironman 70.3 Davao last March, looms as the triathlete to beat in the women’s side that also drew veteran campaigner Dimity Lee Duke, fourtime Philippine champion Caroline Steffen and former Ironman Australia titlist Beth McKenzie.
Also tipped to contend are Anna Eberhardt, Lauren Goss, Bruna Mahn, Sabrina Stadelmann, Lisa Tyack, Lauren Brandon, Grace Thek, Mel Hauschildt, Simone Maier, Holly Khan and Manami Iijima.
from PR)
(with report