World class triathletes vow to break record in Ironman 70.3

DAVAO CITY – Two world-class triathletes vow to break their current record as they join some 1,800 other participants in the upcoming Alveo Ironman 70.3 in Davao City.



Xterra world champ, Mexican Mauricio Mendez and 28-year-old Eric Watson of Australia were among the early birds to arrive here for Sunday’s Ironman 70.3.



Mendez and Watson are among five world champions who will see action on Sunday for the Alveo Iron Man 70.3 Davao.



Mendez is banking on his strength in running to break his 3.43 triathlon record. He holds several big Xterra wins, including being the Xterra World Champion and 8 podiums in 2016.



Watson, meanwhile, said his strong advantage is in swimming, with running and biking as his secondary strengths.

 Also on the list is the oldest world champion from Austalia, Craig Alexander, who is now 45 years old.



Sunrise Events general manager Princess Galura said Alexander is the two-time world champion for 70.3 and three-time world champion for the full distance.



"Alexander came out from injury and he is basically testing his body in this race," she said.



Timothy 'Tim’ Reed, also from Australia, will also be competing for the Davao race on Sunday. Reed is the three-peater in the Iron Man 70.3 in Cebu in the past years.



"Tim Reed is the new Craig Alexander, he has won all the races that he has joined," Galura said.



The 2013 Xterra champion, Benny Allen, as well as the current Xterra Triathlon world champion Bradley Weiss are also among the top personalities who will see action in the Davao race.



Galura said majority of participants, aside from Filipinos, are Australians. Canada, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan Vietnam and Thailand will also be represented.

 The 1,800 participants also include triathletes from 39 countries.



Meanwhile, side events like the Iron Girl will jumpstart the big race, as about 600 girls will join the fun run inside the Azuela Cove in Lanang today (Friday).

 Iron Girl event is participated by females aging 12 to 60. Galura said the oldest registrant is 65 years old and the youngest is 12. (Lilian C. Mellejor and Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)