Ramo reclaims IRONMAN Philippines crown

SUBIC BAY, Philippines — Leyann Ramo pushed herself to the limit and regained her claim as the undisputed queen of Philippine endurance racing by ruling the Century Tuna full IRONMAN Philippines here yesterday.

Ramo displayed her unmatched staying power required to survive the punishing 3.8km swim, 180km bike and grueling 42.2km marathon that separates true contenders from pretenders.

Two years after ruling the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit, the 33-year-old Lanao del Norte native emerged on top once again.

“The entire experience was overwhelming. It forces you to realize that the human body is capable of moving and performing for that long and that far. It was truly amazing,” Ramo said after weathering the storm.

It took Ramo exactly half a day – 12 hours, three minutes, and 45 seconds – to conquer the course. She set a relentless tone with a 1:06:19 swim, tackled the slick, wind-swept bike segment in 6:28:54, and 4:17:03 in the punishing run.

Khimberly Paquibot timed 12:31:21 to clinch the silver while Jennifer Tan Uy, the first Filipina Ultraman finisher, came in third in 12:34:37.

Earlier, Maksim Kniazev from Bulgaria dominated the men’s overall championship, winning it in 9:04:50. He clocked 58:20 in the swim, blitzed the bike stage in 4:38:35, and cruised home with a 3:21:23 in the marathon.

Germany’s Christian Haupt placed second in 9:09:58 while Aussie Ryan Miller timed 9:19:04 for third.