Ferris makes winning debut, Watkinson back as champion

CEBU, Philippines — Australian triathlete Josh Ferris made his Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu debut a memorable one, while New Zealand’s Amelia Rose Watkinson returned to the race she dominated eight years ago in glorious fashion.

Banking on a powerful showing in the 90-kilometer bike leg of the grueling three-in-one contest that also consisted of a 1.9km swim and 21km run starting and ending at The Mactan Newtown passing through the iconic CCLEX, Ferris outpaced early favorite Mike Phillips of New Zealand en route to seizing the coveted men’s pro crown with the fastest time of three hours, 49 minutes and 11 seconds.

“The course was amazing, you know. I’ve raced all over the world and yeah, and yet this was amazing. The experience was second to none. The crowd was just insane and the course, going over the CCLEX and having everyone on the course cheering on, it was, yeah, it was really good, really amazing,” Ferris shared.

Phillips clocked in 3:52:41 to settle for second place while fellow Kiwi Sam Osborne wound up third with a time of 4:04:06.

In the women’s pro battle, Watkinson posted the best time of 4:14:22 to regain the throne she won back in the 2017 edition of the annual event.

Sophie Malowiecki (4:24:42) of Ausrtralia and Watkinson’s compatriot Samantha Kingford (4:27:45) occupied the second and third spots, respectively.

On the other hand, Japan’s Ryosuke Ohata (4:46:30) and Mayo Onishi (4:41:58) emerged as champions among the age-groupers.

Veteran Cebuano racer Kristiane Lim also made his mark, ruling the 35–39 age group with a solid 4:44:14 finish, while Lapu-Lapu City’s pride Khimberly Paquibot added flair to the local contingent by topping the women’s 25–29 category in 5:32:16.

Team 2Go brought further pride to the host city with swimmer Albert Godinez, biker Andreu Ferrer, and runner Jhonn Marc Dizon dominating the all-men’s relay with an aggregate time of 4:15:17.

In the women’s side, Lizane Abella teamed up with swimmer Cecille Mole and biker Carla Flotenia to nail a resounding victory in 5:00:29.

Meanwhile, Andrew Kim Remolino, Matthew Justine Hermosa, and Renz Wynn Corbin of the Talisay Luigi Triathlon Group (TLTG)-Go For Gold Team asserted their dominance in the inaugural Sunrise Sprint, sweeping the podium in a dazzling display of teamwork and athleticism.

Remolino, a longtime national team member, marked his IM 70.3 coeback in his hometown with a commanding performance from start to finish, clocking in at 1:10:04 to grab the overall title in the men’s division.

Just seconds behind, Hermosa crossed the finish line at 1:10:35 followed Corbin at third in 1:11:42.

“It feels great to be back,” said Remolino, who first competed in the Ironman 70.3 Cebu some years ago via the relay event.

In the distaff side, national team standout Erika Nicole Burgos lorded over with a time of 1:20:32 followed by Anisha Eunice Caluya in 1:22:38. Cebu’s Nicole Marie Del Rosario took the third-place honors 1:27:24.