As in years past, this year’s half Ironman race has also attracted a record number of entries with defending champions Pete Jacobs and Belinda Granger both of Australia leading the field at the starting line at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
Jacobs will be gunning for a three-peat after he clinched the 2010 and 2011 titles while Granger will be hoping to notch her second straight women’s title after ruling the distaff side last year when the event was held in Camarines Sur.
Jacobs is again favored to rule the men’s side after placing second in the 2011 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The two, however, are expected to have a tough fight ahead as they face a field of equally accomplished triathletes with several international titles under their belts.
Some entries to watch:
WOMEN’
Belinda Granger (Australia)
Defending champion 2011 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 1st place – 2012 Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon, Subic Bay, Philippines; 1st place – 2012 Geelong Long Course; 1st place – 2011 Ironman 70.3 Japan
Caroline Steffen (Switzerland)
1st place – 2012 Ironman Asia Pacific Championship; 1st place – 2011 Ironman European Championship; 1st place – 2011 Ironman Australia; 2nd place – 2010 Ironman World Championship, Kona, Hawaii
Amanda Stevens (USA)
2nd place – 2011 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 1st place – 2010 Ironman 70.3 Cancun; 4th place – 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Championship; 3rd place – 2010 Ironman Cozumel
Ali Fitch (Australia)
1st place – 2008 Coeur d’Alene Olympics; 2nd place – 2008 Ironman Canada; 2nd place – 2007 Ironman Malaysia
Michelle Wu (Australia)
2nd place – 2012 Ironman 70.3 Cairns; 1st place – 2012 Coral Coast 5150 Triathlon; 2nd place – 2012 Ironman 70.3 Singapore; 1st place – 2011 Ironman 70.3 Taiwan
MEN’
Pete Jacobs (Australia)
Two-time defending champion 2010, 2011 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 1st place – 2012 Huskisson Long Course; 2nd place – 2011 Ironman World Championship, Kona, Hawaii
Terenzo Bozzone (New Zealand)
2nd place – 2011 Ironman New Zealand, Taupo, 2nd place – 2010 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 1st place – 2009 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 1st place – 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, Clearwater, USA
Cameron Brown (New Zealand)
2nd place – 2012 Ironman Cairns; 1st place – 2011 Ironman New Zealand, Taupo; 3rd place – 2011 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 1st place – 2011 Ironman 70.3 Korea; Ten-time winner of Ironman New Zealand (2001 – 2005, 2007 – 2011) held in Taupo
David Dellow (Australia)
1st place – 2012 Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon, Subic Bay, Philippines; Champion – 2012 Ironman Cairns; 5th place – Ironman Asia Pacific Championship; 1st place – 2012 Koh Samui International Triathlon
Mathieu O’Halloran (Philippines)
1st place – 2012 Pico de Loro Triathlon; 1st place – Zambales Beach Games Triathlon; 1st place – Bantayan Beach Games Triathlon; Canadian representative to three World Championships
Fredrik Croneborg (Sweden)
2nd place – 2012 Pico de Loro Triathlon; 1st place – 2010 Ironman 70.3 China; 3rd place – 2010 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines; 6th place – 2009 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines