Albarote cops lone Philippine plum in Cobra Ironman

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines  – Lezette Albarote sparkled in the midst of the Australians’ gold rush, topping the female 40-44 age group of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines Sunday at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

Albarote finished the race in 5:29:35 to beat compatriot Anna Marissa Remigio (5:38:26) and Singaporean Jeynelle Lee (5:51:12) and score the lone win for Pinoy age-groupers in the prestigious competition that drew a record 2,618 participants.

The Aussies romped off with eight crowns with Justin Ghosh (male 18-24) and Sandra Reid (female 55-59) snaring back-to-back crowns here.

Ghosh clocked 4:18:19 to repeat as champ over Filipinos Marvin Santiago delos Santos (4:36:27) and Donray Noval (5:25:01) while Philippine-based Reid submitted 5:44:49 to defeat lone opponent Agnes Tinsay (6:50:33).

Completing the Aussie spree were Jaimielle Jacobs in the female 30-34 (5:05:21), Assad Attamimi in male 40-44 (4:14:16), Lisa Redmond in female 45-49 (5:32:39), Roger Hastie in male 45-49 (4:36:37), Daniel Hyams in male 50-54 (4:59:05), and Graham Crocker in male 65-69 (5:30:36).

Britain scooped three golds via repeat-winner Lyndsey Fraser in female 25-29 (4:52:10), David Watson in male 30-34 (4:40:29), and Joanne Plumbley in female 35-39 (5:49:19).

Also victorious were Japanese Mika Shito in female 18-24 (5:26:49), Russian Anton Samokhvalov in male 25-29 (4:25:17), Irish Colin O’ Shea in male 35-39 (4:21:59), Singaporean Khina Ong in female 50-54 (6:37:58), Mexican Ernesto Adelina in male 55-59 (5:24:13) and American Lee Harkleroad in male 60-64 (6:59:09).

Ford Forza dominated the male relay division with a combined 4:12:33 while David Salon reigned in the distaff side with 5:34:23 as RDAK-C topped the mixed relay with 3:58:20.

They joined a stellar roster of victors headlined by reigning Asia-Pacific champ Tim Reed, who anchored an exciting 1-2 finish for Australia in the men’s pro hostilities, and Caroline Steffen, who bucked mechanical trouble and a bike crash to cop her second straight plum in this historic resort city.

Two-peat Filipino elite champ August Benedicto and women’s titlist Monica Torres also shone in the event produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. with title sponsor Cobra Energy Drink, powered by Ford Philippines and presented by Summit Water.

Other backers are official courier and logistics partner 2Go Express, official footwear and apparel partner Asics, official sports drink Gatorade, race venue partners Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu Province and Lapu-Lapu City.

The venue sponsor is Megaworld’s The Mactan Newtown, while bike course sponsors are Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City. Other supporters are Kenneth Cobonpue, Prudential Guarantee, TYR, Sunlife Financial, Department of Tourism, Tourism Board of the Philippines, David’s Salon, Finisher Pix, Intercare, Alaska Milk Corp., Timex, Shotz, Safeguard Men, Brew Kettle, Asahi, Devant, Flawress, Regent, Sante Barle, Motorace, Prozza, Omega PRO, Tisyu, hotel partners Be Resort, Crimson Resort and Spa, Movenpick Hotel and Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, technology partner Xurpas, media center sponsor Globe Telecom, and media partners The Philippine STAR, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife and AsiaTri.com.