CANADIAN Brent McMahon ruled the 2014 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 on Sunday at the Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu.
McMahon, a veteran of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, finished the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike and 21-kilometer runin three hours, 59 minutes and five seconds. Australian Sam Betten (04:07:30) came in second while Casey Munro (04:13:18) was third.
Caroline Steffen of Switzerland retained the women's title by clocking 4:32:34. Completing the podium finishers were Australians Rebecca Hoschke (4:38:34) and 2011 champion Belinda Granger (4:48:32). The Philippines’ Monica Torres finished fifth with a time of 5:03:35.
The fastest Filipino Elites in the sixth edition of the event that attracted 2,600 triathletes from 40 countries were August Benedicto (4:34:55), John Philip Duenas (4:41:59) and Kristiane Glendale Lim (4:52:48).
Actor Mateo Guidicelli, an avid triathlete, led celebrities who took part which included Kim Atienza, Piolo Pascual, Isabelle Daza, Ryan Agoncillo and Gretchen Fullido.