MANILA – Dutch Eric van der Linden displayed remarkable endurance to rule the Ironman 70.3 in Davao City on Sunday.
The 50-year-old from Schagen, North Holland finished the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run course in 4 hours, 19 minutes and 27 seconds.
He posted leg times of 27:50 (swim), 2:19:06 (bike) and 1:27:18 (run).
Filipinos John Patrick Ciron placed second in 4:19:45 (30:47 swim, 2:22:42 bike and 1:21:52 run) and Franklin Yee third in 4:20:25 (32:59 swim, 2:22:15 bike and 1:20:07 run).
Former full Ironman Philippines champion Petr Lukosz of the Czech Republic was fourth in 4:24:49, followed by Jorry Ycong (4:26:08), Satar Salem (4:26:10), recent Bohol 5150 winner Irienold Reig Jr. (4:26:39), M.R. Santiago (4:28:20), John Leerams Chicano (4:30:14) and A.R. Toroganan (4:31:30).
Meanwhile, Leyann Ramo from Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte bagged the overall women’s title in 4:48:18, (29:47 swim, 2:34:37 bike and 1:38:44 run).
Sophie Capistrano settled for second in 5:12:14 (35:44 swim, 2:38:18 bike and 1:52:03 run), while Chloe Jane Ong was third in 5:21:05 with clockings of 36:29, 2:40:20 and 1:56:04.
Van der Linden, who competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, also won in the 50-54 years category.
Ciron dominated the 25-29 class and Yee won the 18-24 category.
Other winners were Ycong (30-34), Lukosz (40-44), Ramo (30-34), Capistrano (18-24) and Ong (35-39). (PNA)