Duke, Betten out to keep Bellevue tri crowns today

BETTEN

Panglao, Bohol – Wilfred Steven Uytengsu could still vividly remember that blustery day in 1988 when he competed in his first ever triathlon.

The Chairman and CEO of Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) was among a token cast of 45 triathletes who vied in Matabungkay, Batangas back then with mango baskets from the locals used as transition markers.

Twenty eight years later, Uytengsu is now chief organizer of the Bellevue 5i50 race which will fire off today at the beach front of the posh Bellevue Hotel here, with 650 athletes from 25 countries competing including some of the world’s top pro triathletes.

Defending champions Sam Betten and Dimity Lee-Duke of Australia will defend their men’s and women’s pro division titles, respectively in the race that features 1.5-kilometer swim, 40k bike, and 10k run.

Betten, who won last year’s title in two hours, one minute, and three seconds, is gunnning for his second back-to-back 5i50 triathlon title after ruling the Regent 5i50 race in Subic last June.

The 28-year old Aussie snared his first back-to-back 5i50 last year.

LEE-DUKE

“My focus is on this race,” Betten, who will also be donning the Alaska Tri-Aspire Team suit, said during yesterday’s press conference. “I’m a hundred percent prepared and ready to go tomorrow (today).”

Duke, on the other hand, is equally focused in defending ger titles despite a third place finish in the Regent 5i50.

“I just want to do well and and unleash my best. With that, let’s just see what happens next,” said Duke.

Aside from the centerpiece elite division races which will be composed of the men’s and women’s pro, Filipino Elite, and Age Group Categories, organizers also added a new short distanced series for beginners dubbed as the ‘Sunrise Sprint’ which only has a 750-meter swim, 20k bike, and 5k run course.

“The short-distanced Sunrise Sprint will inspire others to try the sport of triathlon,” Uytengsu said.

Today’s race, which is expected to be tougher with the current inclement weather conditions, will also witness the Philippine triathlon debut of German Henry Beck. He will compete with Betten and Dan Brown in the men’s pro category.

“I think I can do what all Germans around the world can do,” Beck said, “I’m not a good runner but I hope I can do well in the swim.”