With relief from summer heat, Brown seeks Century Tuna crown

SUBIC—Two-time world championships runnerup Cameron Brown is one of 14 pro elite triathletes vying in the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines that will get a break from the summer heat, at least on race day.

Showers are expected at about 9 a.m., when the bulk of the 1,219 triathletes are already doing the bicycle leg.

Forecast temperature here is between 25 to 28 degrees Cesius throughout the day, a lot kinder than the average 34 degrees. It will also be cloudy in the afternoon, according to accuweather.com.

The country’s first full-distance Ironman begins with the 2.4-mile (3.86 kilometers) swim leg, from Triboa Bay to ACEA Resort, at 6:20 a.m. The seven male Pro Elite participants jump in first, followed two minutes later by the seven females.

The rest of the field starts at 6:30 a.m. Cutoff time is 2 hours and 20 minutes after the last-start release.

New Zealand’s Brown, who turns 46 later this month, finished second in the worlds in 2001 and 2005.

The 112-mile (180.25 km) bike leg from Subic Bay to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, including an 8 km downhill segment, must be completed in 10 hours and 30 minutes, while the closing full marathon (26.22 miles or 42.195 km) from Remy Field to downtown Subic Bay requires a clocking not exceeding the 17-hour course deadline.

Arland Macasieb, a 25-time Ironman finisher and the first Filipino ever to finish the Hawaii worlds, banners the Filipino contingent. He is entered in the 35 to 39 age group.

On Saturday, the Ironkids swim-run event for 6- to 14-year-olds was held at WOW Recreation and Activity Center and Remy Field with Zedrick James Borja and Lady Samantha Corpuz (13-14 years old) ruling the roost.