Allen seeks 3rd Xterra win

MANILA, Philippines — Australian Ben Allen goes for three in a row when the 2014 Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series unfolds Saturday in Liloan, Cebu.

Allen, who ruled the first two editions of the swim-bike-run event, leads more than 500 racers vying for the title in the tougher off-road course of 1.5K open-water swimming, 35K mountain biking and 9.2K trail running.

Allen also ruled the Xterra World Tour in Saipan, Guam, and New Zealand last year.

A slot in the World Championships in Maui, Hawaii, plus cash prizes are at stake.

Switzerland’s Renata Buchers and Britain’s Daz Parker, both podium finishers in last year’s women’s race, set out as the favorites along with Saipan’s Mieko Carey and Briton Jacqui Slack.

Vaseline Men brand manager Jonathan Pua said a shorter 500m swim-15.5K bike-5K run will be among the side events of the race, which is backed by Vaseline Men, LBC Solutions, Air Asia, Aqua Sphere, Coca-Cola Femsa PH, David’s Salon, Devant, Department of Tourism, Intercare, Prudential Guarantee, R.O.X., Salomon, Shotz, Smart, Timex, Titay’s and the municipality of Liloan.

Other top bets are South Africa’s Dan Hugo, Guam’s Charlie Epperson and Bradley Weiss, Australia’s Dimitry Duke and Malaysia’s Sharom Abdullah.  Jasmine W. Payo