Tim Reed. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
CEBU, Philippines—Tim Reed and Caroline Steffen ruled their respective divisions for the second straight time in the Ironman 70.3 Philippines after topping the Cebu circuit Sunday at Shangri-La Mactan.
Australia’s Reed overcame the grueling 113-kilometer swim-bike-run course in 4:01:19, 49 seconds faster than silver medalist Mike Philips, before being stretchered out after he suffered from cramps and threw up following his ice bath.
Reed, who is coming off a conquest in Subic Bay two months ago, came in third after the 1.9-kilometer swimming course, 3.09 seconds slower than Eric Watson, before blitzing through the 90-kilometer bike leg to gain the lead at the 13-kilometer mark.
Reed, who finished fourth in Davao, kept enough distance until the finish line to add a fourth Cebu title to his growing collection.
Tim Van Berkel, who was second in Subic Bay, came in third clocking in at 1:22:18.
Defending champion Mau Mendez dropped out of the race due to stress fracture in his thighs during the bike leg.
Switzerland’s Steffen, who finished first in Subic Bay and second in Davao to Radka Kahlefeldt, was dominant in the women’s division clocking in at 4:24:08 while silver medalist Dimity Lee Duke of Australia finished the race at 4:36:47.
“I feel great, I love winning races obviously, and to win for the sixth time in Cebu I mean it’s not an easy task to come back every single year and you know do it again and again,” said Steffen, who won her sixth Cebu championship.
Steffen was the first out of the water at 27:05 but her humble lead grew throughout the race.
The Swiss star showed her class at the end of the bike course building a 10-minute lead over Duke heading to the start of the run part of the race.
“I felt really good today, so I’m very happy with my performance,” added Steffen, who immediately celebrated with son Xander at the finish line.
Courtney Gilfillan was the third fastest female clocking in at 4:39:18.