Tim Reed regains form to top Ironman 70.3 in Subic

Tim Reed. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SUBIC, Zambales—Tim Reed added another title to his already illustrious career after capturing the gold medal in the men’s division of the 2019 Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay here on Sunday.

This is the Australian’s 23rd title in the Ironman 70.3 and the second this year. His latest feat, however, didn’t come without adversity.

Reed had to catch up in the bike leg of the race after finishing fourth in the swim leg with a time of 24:35, nearly a minute slower than the fastest swimmer Alex Polizzi, who’s a fellow Australian.

Once the bike leg started, however, Reed eventually caught speed and got past Polizzi holding on to that advantage all the way to the run leg of the course.

Reed finished the course in four hours, four minutes and 34 seconds seemed to have gotten his old form back after struggling in his past tournaments.

“I love coming back here because I always race here,” said Reed, who won the 2017 Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay. “More importantly, my form’s coming back so it’s nice to be racing well again.”

“I think I had a good race three, four weeks ago in Ironman Australia and another good race in Vietnam so my form is really good.”

Reed’s compatriot Tim Van Berkel completed the course at 4:08:37 to come in second while 2018 Full Ironman champion Nick Baldwin followed in third with a time of 4:09:07.

Reed added that he was motivated of finding that winning groove once more, a sensation that has eluded him for the past eight months.

“For me, I’ve had some success here and once you get that feeling of success, it’s hard not to want it again,” said Reed. “It’s a bit hard because you’re always chasing that feeling.”