Two-time champ taking all comers
SUBIC – Treble-seeking Sam Betten of Australia knows he’s a marked man in today’s Regent 5150 Triathlon but expressed readiness to take on all comers.
“(I feel) really good; training’s going really well. Having won this race the last two years and trying to win No. 3 is always a challenge and I’m looking forward to it,” said Betten on the eve of the event featuring close to 1,000 participants from 27 countries.
Betten seeks to go three-for-three in the annual tournament against worthy challengers led by compatriot Mitch Robins, who’s raring to get back at him after a bike-troubled runner-up finish last year.
“I think Mitch Robins’ gonna be tough; he’s also someone who lived and trained in Subic Bay before so he has the advantage of knowing the curves and conditions,” said Betten, himself familiar with Subic, having raced four times before.
He’s also on the lookout for American Iain Alexandridis, fellow Aussie Taylor Charlton, South African Johan Stofberg and Phl-based Aussie Dan Brown in the chase for top honors in the 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run race starting at Acea Beach and ending at Remy Field.
“There’s really a strong field that’s come to Subic Bay this year. It’s got to be the toughest competition we’ve had in three years so I think that makes for a really exciting and great race. It will be so close and I have lots of competition so I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Betten said.
Australian Dimity Lee Duke, third-placer last year, leads aspirants Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, compatriot Annelise Jefferies, Kiwi Laura Wood, and Filipina Kim Kilgroe in the dispute for the women’s gold.
Aside from the world-class pros, there will be competitions in Asian Elite, age groups and the Sunrise Sprint, a shorter distance series featuring a 750m swim, 20K bike, and 5K run that proved to be a bit hot last year.
Sunrise Events, Inc. president Fred Uytengsu said with the bike course altered from the previous editions, they expect a fast race.
“It’s a flat course and there’s gotta be a lot of temptation to really ramp it up in the bike,” he told participants.
The race is produced and organized by Sunrise Events Inc. and sponsored by Regent Foods.
For details, visit regent.5150philippines.com.