Dueñas to debut in grueling full Ironman distance today

AFTER shifting to the more demanding sport of triathlon from running seven years ago, Cebuano elite triathlete and renowned running coach John Philip Dueñas is ready to take on what is probably the most grueling race in his career, as he is set to compete in the Century Tuna Ironman Philippines today in Subic Bay, Zambales.

The 31-year-old Danao City native, who is known as one of Cebu’s top triathletes and also the coach of Olympian and Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal, will be competing in the first Ironman full distance in the Philippines organized by Sunrise Events Inc.

The race, considered as the mount Everest of triathlons, features a 3.3-kilometer swim, 180-K bike and a full marathon, a 42-K run, exactly double the distance of the Ironman 70.3 that is held every year in Cebu and other parts of the country.

“I promised myself that if ever there’s a full Ironman distance in the Philippines, I will never think twice about joining it,” said Dueñas who started doing triathlon in 2012.

Prior to becoming a triathlete, Dueñas had been running for 10 years and serves as a coach for nine years already.

Dueñas will be competing in the Asian elite division along with six other courageous triathletes in August Benedicto, Benjamin Raña, Jonard Saim and Alexandra Ganzon. Dueñas will compete under Motorace Kawasaki Racing Team.

According to Dueñas, he does not target any specific time in the three featured disciplines of the race considering that it’s his first time to compete in a full Ironman distance.

“I want to feel the race and push myself and I will do whatever I can do to finish it,” added Dueñas.

He trained for the race since January and joined footraces, swimming events and triathlons in between.

“I consider this as the biggest challenge in my life because I’ve trained for 10 hours a day leading to this race and I’m not that used to it. This race is more controlling my body and how I will manage the pain during the race,” said Dueñas.
Dueñas said that he will also test his mental will to finish the race and this is also his chance to experience first hand what it feels like joining a full-distance Ironman so he can also share his knowledge to his students.

Dueñas is thanking his sponsors, Motorace Kawasaki Racing Team, Asics Philippines, Citigym, Rudy Project Philippines, and the JPD Coaching family, for giving him their full support for this race.