Bellevue 5150 triathlon
Australian triathlete Sam Betten’s bid for a rare three-peat in today’s Bellevue Resort 5150 Triathlon is expected to meet its toughest challenged from three-time Cobra IronMan Philippines 70.3 champion Tim Reed who will try to nail his first title in Bohol’s blue-tibbon triathlon race at the Bellevue Resort on Panglao island, Bohol
The 6’4″ defending champion, who also has won twice in Subic, will also have to contend with veteran Ironman racer Australian Dan Brown, who placed in third in last year’s edition.
Betten considers Reed as “a really good friend,” but he said he is excited to race with him.
“It’s something I’m really excited about because he’s an athlete that I’ve looked up to,” said Betten who expects a challenging race.
“There would be nothing better for the event if you know it’s a super close race between Tim and myself which I think will be. Who knows we might be running side by side along the beautiful beach front. It would be an awesome way to cap off the race,” Betten added.
Meanwhile, Dimity Lee Duke is the prohibitive favorite in the women’s side after New Zealander defending champion Amelia Watskinson, also this year’s IronMan 70.3 winner in Cebu, decided not to defend her title.
She will go up against fellow Australian Kerry Morris and American Laurel Wassner, who will race in the country for the first time.
Jorry Ycong meanwhile, will try to defend his Asian Elite title against fellow Filipinos August Benedicto, John Philip Dueñas, Paul Jumamil, Emmanuel Comendador, and Banjo Norte.
A total of 475 triathletes are competing with 81 expected to vie in the Sunrise Sprint which has a 750m swim, 20km bike, and 5km run.
The main race has 1.5km swim, 40K bike, and 10K run.