LAPU-LAPU CITY – Henri Schoeman rediscovered his winning form in Cebu, overcoming punishing heat, a tough swim leg, a blustery bike course and cramps in the closing run to reclaim the men’s professional crown at the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu on Sunday.
The 34-year-old South African clocked 4:08:52 over the demanding 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run course, returning to the top two years after his breakthrough triumph in the same race presented by Megaworld. He won his first Lapu-Lapu 70.3 in 2024 in 4:02:31 against another deep international field.
Schoeman resurgence
But this victory carried far more weight for Schoeman, who has endured two difficult years trying to regain the form that once made him one of the world’s elite triathletes.
“This win means so much, you know. I've had a really tough two years, struggling to find my form,” said Schoeman.
Australian Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden delivered an equally impressive performance, capturing the women’s professional crown in the race which drew more than 1,400 triathletes from 48 countries, with the majority competing for top honors in various age-group divisions.
Van Coevorden clocked 4:30:11 to dominate an all-Australian podium, finishing ahead of compatriots Charlotte McShane, who posted 4:47:33, and Paige Cranage, who crossed the finish line in 4:53:17.
Schoeman said the race largely unfolded according to plan, with the swim setting up his decisive move on the bike. He pushed hard in the opening leg before creating the gap he needed on the 90-km ride, which again featured the imposing Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
Schoeman managed to hold his advantage through the bike and carried that cushion into the half-marathon, where the tropical heat turned the final leg into a battle for survival.
“I just wanted to make sure that I get to the finish line, because I know it gets really hot on the run,” he said.
Schoeman, who had split times of 27:23 (swim)-2:10:09 (bike)-1:26:15 (run), held off Austrian Sebastian Fuchs and Ben Hamilton of New Zealand, who clocked 4:12:51 (35:33-2:09:36-1:22:19) and 4:14:34 (32:34-2:10:01-1:27:06), respectively.
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