Santiago
From among more than 1,000 entries who went for early registration for the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao, a charming 40-year-old is standing out as the woman to beat when the endurance race is flagged off March 26 at Azuela Cove.
Ines Santiago, who topped the Cebu leg last August, looms as the prohibitive pick in the 1.9-kilometer (km) swim, 90-km bike and 21-k run race that will mark Davao’s third hosting of the event, the first since the pandemic ground all of sports in the world.
Santiago was also victorious in the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines, a full distance race, last year when the sport was rebooted after COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed.
The Negros Occidental native rallied in the run in Cebu to claim victory and share day’s honors with August Benedicto, who ruled the foreign-spiced men’s race before going back to Germany to be with family.
Trophies in the 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65-69 brackets for men and women will be disputed in Davao, the lone pro-race organized by Ironman Philippines in a busy season.
Belgium’s Caroline de Cramer, Ireland’s Etta-Mai Farrell, Hong Kong’s Yui Ming Li and Poland’s Agnieszka Pierzynowska are the notable foreigners already entered with still a little over two weeks left. INQ