OLONGAPO CITY—Chinese triathlete Peng Cheng Li and Filipino Leyann Ramo emerged as champions in their respective categories at the Ironman 70.3 event held at Subic Bay Boardwalk in Zambales on Sunday. The competition drew participants from around the globe, showcasing endurance and skill in swimming, biking, and running.
According to Philippines News Agency, Li completed the course in 4 hours, 20 minutes, and 5 seconds, claiming the top spot in the men's division for the event, which included a 1.9 km swim, a 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run. British triathlete Christopher Weeks finished second with a time of 4:30:18, and Filipino August Benedicto, a veteran and former national team member now residing in Ireland, came in third at 4:34:21. Each of the top three competitors also dominated their respective age-group categories.
In the women's division, Leyann Ramo, from Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte, successfully defended her title with a finish time of 5:07:33. Israeli competitor Hadar Shahar took second place, completing the race in 5:16:04, while Hong Kong's Ruby Cheng secured third with a time of 5:23:57. Ramo, echoing her philosophy of teamwork, attributed her repeated success to collaborative efforts and strategic preparation.
The event also featured relay competitions with the Go for Gold Team I winning the men's category, the Isabela Tri Club Girls taking the women's title, and the Isabela Tri Club clinching victory in the mixed category. Notably, the competition served as a qualifier for several world championships, offering slots to top finishers for events in Kona, Hawaii; Nice, France; and Taupo, New Zealand.
As the Ironman Philippines and IM 70.3 Subic events concluded, thousands of athletes from 54 countries competed for qualification in upcoming global championships, highlighting Subic Bay as a significant venue for international triathlon events.