Aussie rules Century Tuna Ironman

SUBIC, Philippines – Australian star Tim Reed celebrated his birthday with a golden performance in the inaugural Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Triathlon.

Reed, the reigning Asia-Pacific champ who catches eyes racing in his purple Budgy Smuggler swimwear, stood out in the star-studded field and romped off with the men’s pro diadem behind a well-played strategy yesterday.

“It’s a great birthday present, yeah,” said an overjoyed Reed, who turned 30 last Saturday but spent it training for the next day’s 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run hostilities.

Reed stayed within striking distance of the pace in the swim and bike stages then made his big move in the run phase to win it in three hours, 51 minutes, 59 seconds.

He beat a trio of compatriots, Mitchell Robbins (3:55:48), swim and bike phase pacesetter Josh Amberger (3:57:12), and fancied Luke McKenzie (3:58:19) and German Matthias Knossalla (4:03:11) for the coveted crown.

“The race panned out was expected. I expected Josh Amberger to be a couple of minutes up the road, off the bike and that’s panned out and I just tried to keep relaxed and race and hope it will take a little out of his legs on the run – he’s got a great bike ride – and it had,” said Reed.

Sharing the limelight was England’s Parys Edwards, a former world Olympic-distance triathlon champion who scored a breakthrough triumph in 70.3 races with her runaway victory on the distaff side.

Edwards clocked 4:18:13, reaching the finish line a good four minutes ahead of American Beth Gerdes (4:24:05) and nearly 10 before Australian Dimity-Lee Duke (4:27:39) checked in third. 

“The plan was to execute each of the three disciplines as best I could and see where that takes me,” said Edwards.

After a personal best effort in swim, Edwards furiously pedaled to gain cushion and sustained her charge in the footrace en route to the top podium finish in the meet organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.

“The bike was actually quite tough, at the turn-around, I only had two minutes on the other girls. I know Beth (Gerdes) is a fantastic runner so I put my head down that second part of bike and I really worked to try and increase this gap and just hold it on the run. It worked out well,” said Edwards.

Reed and Edwards topped a field that drew the largest cast of pros in a Philippine triathlon race.

Five-time Australian world champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander and Swiss ace Caroline Steffen were originally entered and really wanted to answer the starting gun but with a heavy heart decided against it due to health issues. Alexander was downed by severe back spasms while Steffen suffered severe dehydration due to fever and bum stomach.

Banjo Norte ruled the men’s Filipino elite division with 4:23:27 at the expense of August Benedicto (4:27:12) and Robinson Esteves (4:27:17) while Monica Torres (4:53:46) copped the women’s tiara over Maria Hodges (5:04:23) and Jenny Rose Guerrero (5:10:59).

The podium finishers received jeepney-shaped medals and trophies from SEI president Wilfred Steven Uytengsu and Century Food Pacific Inc. GM Greg Banzon during the awards rites.

The Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 was supported by Vita Coco, Gatorade, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Manila North Tollways Corporation, North Luzon Expressway, 2Go Express, Century Bangus, Saucony, Sante Barley, Department of Tourism, Tourism and Promotions Board of the Philippines, Prudential Guarantee, Timex, David’s Salon, Premier Water, Mini Cooper, Autohub, Belo Skin Care, The Philippine STAR, Endurance Magazine, Smart Communications, PLDT Subictel, Intercare, FinisherPix, Shotz, Devant, OLX and Video Sonic.