Bigger, tougher Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 up

MANILA, Philippines — Over 2,100 entries from a record 57 nations gear up for another duel of power and endurance in the second Regent Aguila IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships presented by Philam Vitality set Aug. 11 at Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa in Cebu.

The huge field is headlined by 20 pros in the biggest gathering of elite triathletes in the eighth staging of the grueling 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run event that also features the Asian Elite division and 11 other age categories in what has long been considered as the country’s triathlon hub.

Mexican Mauricio Mendez and Czech Radka Kahlefeldt have confirmed participation in the event organized by Sunrise Events Inc.

But the two expect a tougher, fierce challenge this time with former champions Tim Reed and Sam Betten out to re-stamp their class and fellow Aussies Tim Van Berkel, Luke McKenzie, Mitch Robins, Lindsey Lawry and Blake Kappler joining the title chase.

Boosting the men’s pro cast are Bahrain’s Eric Watson, Czech Jakub Langhammer, Kiwi Terenzo Bozzone and American Justin Ghost.

Out to foil Kahlefeldt’s back-to-back title drive in the women’s side are multi-titled Swiss Caroline Steffen and Aussie Dimity Lee Duke, Hungarian Anna Eberhardt, Great Britain’s Francesca Sanjana and Courtney Gilfillan, Amanda Wilson and Lauren Wood of Australia.

The event, sponsored by Aguila Energy Drink, also lured bets from Canada, Ireland, Austria, Macao, Russia, Syria, Vietnam, Chile, China, Bermuda, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Guam, Pitcairn, Morocco, Kenya, Brazil, Brunei, Egypt, India, Kuwait, Cambodia, France, Indonesia, Luxembourg, Kuwait, New Caledonia, Romania, the US, United Kingdom, South Korea, UAE, Spain, Qatar, South Africa, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Taiwan and Poland.