World champ Alexander headlines Cobra Ironman 70.3 PH

LAPU-LAPU CITY—World champion Craig Alexander has raced all over the globe and won most of them. It would be nice to add the Philippines to his growing list of terrific destinations.

The celebrated Alexander will headline one of the toughest assembly of professional competitors in years along with defending champion Brent McMahon and three-time winner Pete Jacobs in Sunday’s Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines in this history-rich tourist haven off the coast of Cebu.

“This is as good a lineup as you can get, much like the world championships,’’ said Alexander, whose string of success includes 27 consecutive Ironman 70.3 victories around the world.

Dubbed “Alexander the Great,’’ the Australian is a three-time full Ironman world champion who captured the 70.3 world title twice. He won the world championship of the full and half Ironman in the same year in 2011. Though already 42, Alexander hasn’t slowed down with a sterling 70.3 victory in Geelong, Australia early this year.

“The races are becoming quicker and quicker. These young guys, they’re just taking it to another level. I have to do the swim, bike, run faster to even win these races now,’’ said Alexander.

McMahon, who has a shorter left leg, obviously belongs to this class Alexander is talking about, having won three races last year, including the Philippine edition now being held here for the fourth straight time.