CEBU’s Jorry Ycong stole the thunder from the many-time 70.3 Philippines champion August Benedicto in the 1st Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao at the Azuela Cove in Davao City yesterday.
Ycong of Rider Omega Tri Team won his first 70.3 Philippines Asian Elite title after clocking 4 hours, 24 minutes and 15 seconds to beat Benedicto in the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike and 21K run race.
The four-time 70.3 Philippines champion Benedicto settled for second place with a time of 4:25:22, while Ironman 70.3 Cebu reigning champion Banjo Norte also from Omega Pro finished at third place in 4:25:07.
“I’m so happy right now because I never expected to beat Benedicto in the 70.3 distance. I won against him in the standard distance but not in 70.3. He dominates the 70.3 races,” Ycong told SunStar Cebu in a telephone interview.
Ycong stole the lead from Benedicto at the early part of the run and withstood a late chase and finished the run in 1:29:48 en route to realizing his dream on becoming a 70.3 Philippines champion.
Ycong finally made it after falling short for the title when he finished at third place in the Subic Ironman 70.3 Philippines two years ago.
“I got the lead at the first 3K of the run. He got back and was right behind me in the last 5K, so I decided to give my all since the finish line was already near,” said the former Southwestern University varsity runner. “It’s totally unexpected for me. My hard work paid off. I’m also happy since my teammate (Norte) made it to the podium.”
Ycong finished the swim portion second in 27:33 and clocked 2:24:11 in the bike segment. The two-time 5150 distance champion will take a much deserved rest before preparing for the Ironman 70.3 Cebu in August in Lapu-Lapu City.
The women’s Asian Elite crown, meanwhile, went to Hong Kong’s Leanne Szeto after clocking 4:52:14.
In the pro category, Mexico’s Mauricio Mendez (3:50:52) beat Aussie Timothy James Reed (3:52:26) in the men’s class. Aussie Tim Van Berkel (3:53:45) finished at third place.
Czech Republic’s Radka Kahlefeldt (4:25:38) topped the women’s division, beating Japan’s Naomi Washizu (4:36:53) and Australia’s Dimity Lee Duke (4:39:12). (RSC)