By Kevin Estrada
Petr Lukosz and Ines Santiago blitz through the field to clinch their respective crowns at the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines, Sunday evening in Subic Bay.
In the first race to be held after a two-year absence, the pair were unstoppable in the full-distance edition that serves as the country’s Ironman World Championship qualifiers.
The top 45 finishers will book their place in the upcoming World Championship that will take place in Kona, Hawaii, on October 6-8.
The Czech corporate executive, running for Fitness First Triathlon Team, pulled away in the bike leg as he was the sole triathlete to finish below ten hours, clocking in at nine hours, 52 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Jethro Karl Ramos was the top local finisher when he crossed the line 47 minutes after Lukosz, as Greece’s Thomas Nteliopoulos completed the podium with a race time of ten hours, 55 minutes, and 25 seconds.
On the other hand, Wu Crew’s Santiago coasted to a wire-to-wire race win to claim the distaff crown, as she finished the course in twelve hours, thirteen minutes, and 27 seconds.
Mary Jane Baluyot came in an hour after Santiago, with Marissa Cayowet completing the Filipina podium sweep as she finished the race in 13 hours, 21 minutes, and 9 seconds.
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