CEBU. – August Benedicto pulled off a big August Sunday coup, cutting loose in the last loop of the closing run leg to beat Aussie Mark Jansen and capture the overall championship in the Megaworld Ironman 70.3 Philippines at The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu here.
The veteran campaigner, who placed 15th in the last pro IM 70.3 race here in 2019 while dominating the Asian Elite twice before the pandemic, rallied from as far back as 40th after the opening swim leg then kicked his way back into contention with a strong finish in the bike event, a 3-loop race against time at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.
He moved to fourth heading to the deciding run and rode on the momentum, driving past Lanao del Norte’s Satur Salem, Jonathan Pascua and Jansen in the 12.8km mark and storming to victory in 4:29:16 over the 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run racecourse in the country’s newest triathlon hub.
He had times of 35:17 (swim), 2:57:21 (bike) and 1:29:43 (run) in overcast skies.
“Sa last loop nang kumalas ako, mga last 7 kms. Marami kami sa bike kasi naunahan nila ako sa swim. Nilampasan ko lahat. Mga 15 siguro ang nauna sa akin (swim),” said Benedicto, who also ran away with the 35-39 category diadem in the event that drew close to 2,000 triathletes from 46 countries.
“I thank God for giving me the strength and to all the Cebuanos for their support,” added Benedicto, who drew inspiration from the cheers of the crowd that lined up the roads.
“Kahit na groge at laspag na, but hearing their cheers, na-energized ako.”
Meanwhile, Ines Santiago bucked the odds, including the effects of menstrual cycle, as she ruled the distaff side of the event that staked 12 age-group titles, nailing the overall crown, along with the 40-44 age trophy, in 5:23:14.
