FORMER world champion Tim Reed goes for the title in the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships on Aug. 11 in Mactan, Cebu.
Reed dominated the races from 2015 to 2017 but failed to make it four-in-row last year. He marked his return to the winner’s podium by ruling the Ironman 70.3 Subic in June, besting the likes of compatriot Tim Van Berkel and Ironman Philippines winner Nick Baldwin of Seychelles.
The 34-year-old Reed, who grew up playing basketball and rugby before shifting to triathlon and turning pro in 2010, faces a tough challenge in the premier men’s pro division of the grueling 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run event at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa.
Mauricio Mendez is back to defend the title, while Van Berkel is looking to take the top spot after second, third and fourth-place finishes in Subic and Davao the last few years. Veteran Sam Betten, Luke McKenzie, Lindsey Lawry, Mitch Robins and Justin Ghosh, all from Australia, Bahrain’s Eric Watson and New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone are also seeing action.
An equally exciting battle is seen in the women’s pro side with multi-titled Swiss Caroline Steffen spearheading the cast that includes perennial rival Dimity Lee Duke from Australia, Hungary’s Anna Eberhardt, Laura Wood of New Zealand, Guam’s Manami IIjima, Aussies Laura Dennis and Amanda Wilson and Frankie Sanjana of Great Britain.
The 20 pros headline a huge 2,190-entry list from a record 57 nations.
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