Terrenzo wins Ironman 70.3 Phillipines, Macca takes second place

The blistering heat and the star-studded field proved no match to reigning Foster Grant Ironman70.3 world champion Terenzo Bozzone of New Zealand, who posted a come-from-behind victory in the inaugural Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines held yesterday at the Cam Sur Watersports Complex. Eleven-time Ironman champion, Lisa Bentley, likewise had to overhaul an early deficit to post her own scrambling victory in the women's category of the lung-busting race.

Bozzone, who timed a total of 3:51:25, trailed Australian Pete Jacobs after the swim portion of the race. He trailed another Australian in former Ford Ironman world champion Chris McCormack at the transition from the bike to the run portion. The two raced head-to-head in the run before Bozzone eventually outlasted McCormack to take the win.

 

“I had a hard time at the swim part of the race. Everyone was really pushing the pace. In the bike portion Cam (Cameron Brown) almost broke away and we had to catch up to him. In the run part Macca (McCormack) started like he was in a 15-kilometer run. But once I got into a rhythm everything was OK,” said Bozzone.

Cameron Brown of New Zealand finished third while Jacobs hung on for fourth.

Bentley, who clocked 4:24:29, trailed her rivals in the swim and bike portion of the race. She proved better acclimatized to the heat by scoring the come-from-behind victory after vaulting ahead in the run part of the race.

“The run was truly a test of survival,” said Bentley. “It was like running inside an oven. I have never run in such conditions. I almost quit several times.”

Gina Kehr of the USA placed second, Charlotte Paul of Australia was third and Bree Wee of the USA took fourth place.

Men - Final Standings

1. Terenzo BOZZONE 3:51:25

2. Chris MCCORMACK 3:52:18

3. Cameron BROWN 3:52:31

4. Pete JACOBS 3:56:51

5. Timothy MARR 4:02:52

 

Women

1. Lisa BENTLEY 4:24:29

2. Gina KEHR 4:26:11

3. Charlotte PAUL 4:31:26

4. Bree Wee 4:45:31

5. Monica TORRES 4:48:18