In a galaxy of stars, six Filipinos shone just as bright. One of them a Dabawenyo urologist.
Davao City’s ageless wonder Dr. Oscar Escudero joined the Philippines’ top bets Maria Hodges and August Benedicto as the country’s finest performers in Sunday’s Alveo Ironman 70.3 race that ended in Azuela Cove.
Escudero clocked 7 hours, 12 minutes and 30 seconds to rule the 65-69 age category of the premier triathlon event in the country hosted for the second time by Davao City.
Hodges set a personal standard of 4 hours 56 minutes and 46 seconds to top the overall women’s age group category. The Cebu-based triathlete bested Italy’s Giulia Bossi who came in second at 5:02:44 while Rie Watanabe of Japan was third in 5:11:45.
Based on her bio, Hodges competed in her first triathlon in 2011. Despite having no athletic background, she won her first event and fell in love with the sport. Six years later, finishing on the podium of major races is something her fans have grown accustomed to. Hodges entered 2017 with a ticket to the Ironman World Championships in October and ranked first in her age group in the Ironman All World standings – something she looks to repeat this year.
Benedicto, on the other hand, came through with a strong 6th place in the tough Men’s Pro category and crowned himself as Asian Elite champion.
Benedicto clocked 4 hours 19 minutes and 58 seconds to finish behind fifth placer Sam Betten who was running second midway into the bike stage.
The Filipino triathlete negotiated the swim stage in 31:30, bike stage in 2:18:05 and run stage in 1:27:52.
Three other Filipinos finished in the Top 10 with Jorry Ycong winding up behind Benedicto at 7th in the Pros clocking 4:33:01, Banjo Norte at 8th in 4:33:02, and Raymond Torio at 9th in 4:59:35.
Miguel Aldeguer of Team Aeon Luxe clocked 4:55:06 to finish 38th overall in the men’s division and 6th in the 18-24 age category.
Mervin Santiago topped the 25-29 category in 4:37:39 and Jefferson Valdez ruled the 40-44 category in 4:46:23.
Maria Carmina Ilagan was the other Filipina winner in the 55-59 category finishing the race in 7:23:17.
