Foreign bets favored in Century Tuna Ironman

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Australian aces Craig Alexander, Tim Reed and Luke McKenzie are expected to flaunt their might in the inaugural Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Triathlon kicking off here today.

Alexander is a five-time world champion while Reed is the reigning Asia-Pacific titlist of the grueling event consisting of a 1.9-kilometer swim, starting and ending at Sands of Triboa via Subic Bay Airport to Transition 1, a 90-km bike ride and a 21.1-km run.

The 41-year-old Alexander will try to summon the form that gave him the Ironman crown in 2008, 2009 and 2011, and the Ironman 70.3 diadem in 2006 and 2011.

Reed, 29, is raring to duplicate his Ironman 70.3 AsPac triumph against a strong field out to conquer the clear, calm waters and the scenic bike and run routes in this former US Naval Base.

McKenzie, 33, on the other hand, is familiar with the conditions of the 113-km course having ruled the 2013 Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon.

Other foreigners expected to contend in the event sponsored by Century Tuna and organized by Sunrise Events Inc. are Josh Amberger, Dan Brown, Christoph Schlagbauer, Christoph Knossalla, Tim Green, Matthias Knossala and Ceric Lassonde.

Among women, Swiss Caroline Steffen remains the favorite as a three-peat champion in local Ironman 70.3 races.

The 5-foot-10 Steffen’s challengers include Belinda Granger, Emma Bilham, Katy Duffield, Emi Sakai, Parys Edwards, Ali Fitch, Carol Fuchs, Dimity Lee-Duke and Beth Gerdes.

A meet and greet with the pro triathletes was held yesterday afternoon at Subic Bay Convention Center.

Also present were Sunrise chief Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Century Canning Corp. GM Greg Banzon, and SBMA chair Roberto Garcia, who unveiled the jeepney-shaped medals.