DAVAO CITY — Mexican triathlete champion Mauricio Mendez ruled the male pros category during Sunday’s Alveo Ironman 70.3 held here.
Mendez, the 2016 Xterra world champ, completed the race in 3:50:32 and bested other pros participating in Davao’s Ironman.
Mendez was among the five world triathlon champions and over a thousand local and foreign triathletes who competed in the event hosted by Davao City.
The race kicked off at 6:10 a.m. with the 1.9-kilometer swim course at the Azuela Cove followed by a 90-kilometer bike from Azuela in Davao City to Robinsons in Tagum City and a 21-kilometer run in Davao City.
Mendez banked on his strength in running to break his 3.43 triathlon record. He holds several big Xterra wins, including being the Xterra World Champion and 8 podiums in 2016.
While he failed to break his record, Mendez still emerged the top winner among athletes from 39 countries.
“I’m just grateful to Dabawenyos cheering for me and I cannot describe the feeling. They are very nice, warm and lovely people. I’d like to come back many times as possible here in Davao and the Philippines,” Mendez said in an interview with the media.
Timothy James Reed of Australia was second-place in the male pros category. Reed said he enjoyed the race course and the refreshing wind.
“I’m just seeing the people, the crowd cheering for me, which add to the pleasure and this is something I really enjoyed,” Reed said.
“Triathlon is a lifestyle and you really have to enjoy it and yes go after and chase your dreams,” Mendez said.
Reed said if there’s one thing aspirants should maintain is consistency — just be patient and keep it fun.
Other winners for the male pros category were Tim Van Berkel, Craig Alexander, Bradly Weiss, Kyle Buckingham, Samuel Melle Bettan, Eric Watson, Ben Allen, and Brent Mcmahon.
Actor Matteo Guidicelli and broadcast journalist Kim Atienza were among the celebrities who participated in the Ironman race.
Majority of the 1,800 participants, aside from Filipinos, were from Australia, Canada, Bahrain, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan Vietnam and Thailand. (PNA)
