Aussie, Swiss champs gun for repeat wins

Craig Alexander of Australia and Caroline Steffen of Switzerland will lead over 800 triathletes in the 2017 Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 firing off March 12 in Subic Bay.

Among the early registrants are 22 pros and organizers expect the international field to hit over 1,000 in the third staging of the swim-bike-run event.

The inaugural run drew 902 participants while 823 took part last year.

Inaugural champion Tim Reed, Sam Betten, Jason Hall and Dan Wilson of Australia and South African Johan Stofberg are also participating. —VANESSA B. HIDALGO