Svetlana Kovaleva top women’s Ironman PH bet

The United Arab Emirates’ Svetlana Kovaleva will headline a lean, 22-strong field taking part in the women’s side of the back-breaking Century Tuna full Ironman Philippine race set to be flagged off on June 9 at Subic Bay Boardwalk.

Bets from Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, France, Great Britain, Singapore, Ecuador and Chinese Taipei will be joining Kovaleva along with three from the Philippines in the 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-km bike and 42.2-km run race that will definitely test an athlete’s resolve.

READ: Ironman PH, IM 70.3 in Subic expected to draw huge turnout

Sarah Erañ, Maryfel Aumentado and Anne Nuñez, who topped the 18 to 24 age category in last year’s IM 70.3 Subic Bay, are the Filipinos vying in the centerpiece women’s full race.

The fancied man

Czech Petr Lukosz gunning for a second victory in three years in the men’s division, is fancied as one of the athletes to beat as competitors from South Africa, Korea, Singapore, Portugal, France, Kuwait, Korea, Germany, China, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Switzerland, Italy, Thailand, Japan, Monaco and the US spice up the title chase.

READ: Lukosz looms as man to beat in grueling Subic Ironman

Also on June 9, a 70.3 version—which will be exactly half of the distances of the full Ironman—for men and women will also be contested, with the Philippines represented by Kath Lagunsad, Maypette Ng and rising stars Jamiya Mendoza and Audrey Reodica in the distaff race.