Aussies sweep BAE 5150 elite championships

SUBIC , Philippines — From mere groomsman and bridesmaid to rightful king and queen of triathlon.

After settling for runner-up finishes a year ago, Aussies Sam Betten and Dimity Lee Duke climbed through the ranks to bag the crowns in the 2019 Black Arrow Express 5150 Triathlon in fine weather here at the ACEA Bay.

With former champions Mitch Robins and Manami Iijima skipping the event, Betten and Duke would not be denied as they reigned supreme in this 1.5k swim, 40K bike, 10K run event at the country’s triathlon hub that featured 546 local and foreign participants. 

Betten covered the Olympic-distance race in one hour, 57 minutes and 22 seconds to reclaim the 5150 Subic male pro title he had won twice in the past while Duke clocked 2:18.25 to clinch her second 5150 female pro award this year after copping the 5150 Davao stage last July.

The Aussies stamped their class as Czech Jakub Langhammer (2:01.14) and Laura Wood (2:23.14) settled for silver medals in men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.

“I was disappointed after finishing second last year to Robins so I really want to make amends this year. I was very motivated to come back here and try to win. I was very hungry to make sure of the win. And I did,” said Betten who needed one last push in the 10K run course through the steep Crown Peak along the Zambales Highway to dodge any Langhammer comeback attempt in the last event of the triathlon season organized by Sunrise Events Inc., now part of the Ironman Group.

“That was a very, very tough course. That’s probably the toughest 5150 course that I’ve ever raced on to date,” said Betten of the Subic course that really tested the participants.

Betten broke free early from the pack at the ACEA Beach swim starting point, transitioning on to the bike course with a commanding leeway of one minute and 15 seconds. He even extended the lead to over three minutes in the bike leg before the Davao 5150 champ and excellent runner Langhammer zoomed away in the first five kilometers of the uphill trek traversing Crown Peak.

But the Aussie paced himself midway through the footrace before going for the kill in the last five kilometers to secure his third overall Subic 5150 title.

Duke, however, had to buck off a slow start in the swim race against the pacesetting Wood, falling behind by two minutes and 22 seconds before shifting to high gear in the 40K, three-looped bike race going to the Malawaan Park to narrow the gap to just 37 seconds heading into the deciding 10K run.

Gaining momentum from there on, Duke sprinted past an exhausted Wood along the San Bernardino Road extending to Argonaut Highway for a solo breakaway climbing up to Zambales Highway en route to the win.

“It’s always nice to win. It’s something to be of an inspiration and to be looked upon so I’m looking forward to coming back next year,” said Duke.