Duke big Ironman Cebu fave

Dimity-Lee Duke hopes to ride on the momentum of a recent Subic victory as she vies in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines firing off Aug. 6 at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu.

The Australian, who placed fifth in last year’s Cobra Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship also held in Cebu, will seek the $5,000 top prize against the likes of compatriots Jacqueline Thisleton, Alise Selsmark, Kirra Seidel, Monica Juhart and Kerry Mulholland, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson and local bet Kim Kilgroe.

“I am looking forward to racing in Cebu again as it’s one of the most fun and energetic events on the Ironman circuit,” said Duke, who scored a breakthrough victory in the Regent 5150 Triathlon.

Thisleton topped the 30-34 age group in last year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Australia while Seidel ruled the 2016 Ironman 70.3 in Korea.

Tim Reed will go for a men’s three-peat in the 1.9K-swim-90K-bike-21K-run race. —VANESSA B. HIDALGO