PRESS RELEASE
LAPU-LAPU CITY – Lezette Albarote grabbed a share of the spotlight with the Australians, who dominated the age group competitions of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Sunday at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
Albarote topped the female 40-44 class with 5:29:35 against compatriot Anna Marissa Remigio (5:38:26) and Singaporean Jeynelle Lee (5:51:12) to put Phl on the winners’ list in the company of the Aussies, who romped off with eight victories.
Justin Ghosh (male 18-24) and Sandra Reid (female 55-59) retained their respective age group titles as the Aussies flexed their muscle in the race that drew a record 2,618 participants.
Ghosh clocked 4:18:19 to repeat as champ as the expense of Filipinos Marvin Santiago delos Santos (4:36:27) and Donray Noval (5:25:01) while Philippine-based Reid submitted 5:44:49 to beat lone opponent Agnes Tinsay (6:50:33).
Joining the Aussie gold rush were Jaimielle Jacobs in the female 30-34 (5:05:21), Assad Attamimi in male 40-44 (4:14:16), Lisa Redmond in female 45-49 (5:32:39), Roger Hastie in male 45-49 (4:36:37) Daniel Hyams in male 50-54 (4:59:05), and Graham Crocker in male 65-69 (5:30:36).
Britain won three golds via back-to-back champ Lyndsey Fraser in female 25-29 (4:52:10), David Watson in male 30-34 (4:40:29), and Joanne Plumbley in female 35-39 (5:49:19).
Rounding up the champions were Japanese Mika Shito in female 18-24 (5:26:49), Russian Anton Samokhvalov in male 25-29 (4:25:17), Irish Colin O’ Shea in male 35-39 (4:21:59), Singaporean Khina Ong in female 50-54 (6:37:58), Mexican Ernesto Adelina in male 55-59 (5:24:13) and American Lee Harkleroad in male 60-64 (6:59:09).
Ford Forza ruled the male relay division in 4:12:33 while David’s Salon reigned in the distaff side in 5:34:23. RDAK-C won the mixed relay in 3:58:20.
They joined a stellar roster of victors headlined by reigning Asia-Pacific champ Tim Reed, who led a 1-2 finish for Australia in the men’s pro hostilities, and Caroline Steffen, who bucked mechanical trouble and a bike crash to cop her second straight plum here.
Two-peat Filipino elite champ August Benedicto and women’s titlist Monica Torres also sparkled in the event produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. with title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink, powered by Ford Philippines and presented by Summit Water.
Others backers are official courier and logistics partner 2Go Express, official footwear and apparel partner Asics, official sports drink Gatorade, race venue partners Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu Province and Lapu-lapu City.
The venue sponsor is Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown, while bike course sponsors are Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City. Other supporters are Kenneth Cobonpue, Prudential Guarantee, TYR, Sunlife Financial, Department of Tourism, Tourism Board of the Philippines, David’s Salon, Finisher Pix, Intercare, Alaska Milk Corporation, Timex, Shotz, Safeguard Men, Brew Kettle, Asahi, Devant, Flawress, Regent, Sante Barle, Motorace, Prozza, Omega PRO, Tisyu, hotel partners Be Resort, Crimson Resort and Spa, Movenpick Hotel and Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, technology partner Xurpas, media center sponsor Globe Telecom, and media partners The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife and AsiaTri.com.
