Van der Linden, Ramo rule IRONMAN 70.3

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Eric van der Linden turned back the clock to outperform competitors half his age and claimed the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao crown here yesterday.

In the women’s division, Leyann Ramo continued her winning streak to rule the race featuring a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run that covered the newly developed Davao City Coastal Road.

Van der Linden, the 50-year-old Olympian from Schagen, North Holland, built an early lead with a strong swim and bike performance, which proved crucial as he withstood a late charge from John Patrick Ciron and Franklin Yee in the run segment to clinch the overall men’s championship in 04:19:27.

Meanwhile, Ramo showcased her strength in all events, but shone brightly in the bike and run stages, securing the overall women’s title in 04:48:18.

Ranged against younger rivals, Van der Linden proved that experience and tenacity can outshine youth to claim victory in the premier endurance race organized by The IRONMAN Group and hosted by Davao City.

Van der Linden set the tone early, dominating the swim and bike stages of the grueling race. His powerful start (00:27:50) created a substantial lead, giving him the cushion needed to withstand a fierce challenge from Ciron and Yee, who both mounted strong comebacks in the final run stages.

He timed 02:19:06 on the bike and closed out in 01:27:18 in the run. Ciron posted a 00:30:47 time in swim and 02:22:42 in bike but flashed his running skills to finish in 01:21:52 for a 04:19:45 clocking for second overall while Yee, who timed 00:32:59 and 02:22:15 in the first two events, respectively, churned out the fastest clocking in run (01:20:07) to snare third in 04:20:25.

Ramo, from Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, showcased her rising prowess by capturing the title with plenty to spare. Fresh off a victory in Subic, Ramo posted leg times of 00:29:47 (swim), 02:34:37 (bike) and 01:38:44 (run).

Sophie Capistrano placed a distant second in 05:12:14 with leg times of 00:35:44, 02:38:18, and 01:52:03.