Reed, Steffen capture Cobra Ironman 70.3

LAPU-LAPU CITY—Australian Tim Reed nipped best friend and compatriot Tim Van Berkel in a rare two-man sprint battle here Sunday to rule the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

Bucking the dizzying heat, the 30-year-old from Byron Bay, New South Wales, slipped and went down on all fours a couple of meters from the finish-line tape, but recovered just as quick to complete the race in three hours, 46 minutes and three seconds.

Van Berkel crossed the line two seconds later after almost reeling in Reed in a dramatic rally in the race’s concluding run segment.

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“We we’re running side by side and I knew that one of us would win,” said Reed. “That was one of the hardest races I’ve ever done.”

It was Reed’s third 70.3 triathlon victory this year after winning the 2015 Ironman Asia Pacific Championships in Auckland and the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines in Subic. He said the three races were part of his buildup for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 10.

AUSTRALIAN Tim Reed slips on the elevated finish line but picks himself up to beat Tim Van Berkel for the title. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

“Personally, it’s one of the best battles I’ve ever had,” said Reed. “You know, to have a battle like that with your best friend is fantastic.”

Canadian Brent McMahon, the 2014 champion, faded halfway through the run leg and the two-time Olympic cyclist checked in third, 4:20 after Reed.

“Oh man, you’ll bleed from the ears,” said McMahon, who stayed right behind Reed and Berkel in the bike segment only to slow down late in the run leg. “It’s so hot here. Those Tim guys, they’re fast.”

Australians claimed fourth to seventh spots with Mitch Robbins placing fourth in 3:55:20 followed by three-time Ironman king Alexander Craig (3:57:11), Luke McKenzie (3:57:45) and three-time Cobra champ Pete Jacobs (3:58:51).

For the fourth consecutive year, Caroline Steffen of Switzerland asserted her mastery in the 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run that was fired off and ended at Shangri-La Mactan here.

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But it wasn’t easy this time for the two-time Ironman Asia-Pacific and European champion who was slowed down by bike mechanical problems inside the tunnel in Talisay and then crashed on her way to the bike-run transition area.

Steffen hit a roadside fan said to be rooting for actor Piolo Pascual and held her left rib cage after conquering the course in 4:23:54 and landing 13th overall among the pros, male or female.

“I think about 20 people suddenly crossed the road,” said Steffen. “I think it was someone famous racing at the other side and people wanted to get a better view. I tried to use the brakes, but I couldn’t stop. So I crashed and fell off.”

SWITZERLAND’S Caroline Steffen finishes comfortably ahead of the rest of the women’s field. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

American Beth Gerdes, the runner-up early this year in Subic, placed second again to Steffen in 4:29:07, with Dimity Lee-Duke of Australia third, 5:42 behind the winner.

Australian Belinda Granger, the oldest entry in the women’s Elite race at 45, arrived fifth in her farewell race as a pro, almost 19 minutes behind Steffen.

In the Filipino men’s Elite, August Benedicto retained the title with a time of 4:28:36 but was immediately stretchered to the medics’ tent due to exhaustion.

John Philip Duenas settled for second in 4:28.42 and followed Benedicto to the tent. Banjo Norte came in third, 23 seconds after Duenas.

Monica Torres, who used to compete in the pros, had an easy time capturing the Filipino women’s Elite plum in 4:39:37. Maria Hodges was second (4:53:09) and LC Langit third (5:05:30).

Aside from Pascual, who competed in the relays, fellow actor and sportsman Matteo Guidicelli also saw action.

Among the survivors was Inquirer news editor Artemio Engracia who timed 8:27:17 in the senior category.

Organized by Sunrise Events Inc. and backed by Ford Philippines and Summit Water, the race traversed the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Talisay and staked 40 age-group tickets to the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Australia.

Sunrise Events president Wilfred Uytengsu said they would prepare soon for next year’s Ironman Asian-Pacific 70.3 World Championship which Cebu has been chosen to host.

POP princess Sarah Geronimo slips the finisher’s medal around the neck of actor boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli. CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA

Medics attend to Filipino male Elite winner August Benedicto who collapses after crossing the finish line at Mactan Shangri-la of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ