Rieg latest PH triathlon toast after Davao win
Using unmatched effort in the swim leg and digging really deep in the closing half-marathon, Irienold Reig Jr. turned back a determined cavalry to rule the BYD Ironman 70.3 Davao presented by Aboitiz on Sunday to become the country’s latest toast in the sport.
The 23-year-old Quezon province native held back full Ironman champion Petr Lukosz of Czechoslovakia and Mervin Santiago in one of the tightest finishes the circuit has seen, clocking four hours, 33 minutes and 41 seconds for the 1.9-kilometer, 90km bike and 21km run race.
Reig won by just 38 seconds over Lukosz, with Santiago checking in at 4:36:02 as the trio occupied the podium of the race that flagged off more than 1,000 participants and had them going through searing heat.
The victory marked a defining leap in Reig’s young career as he successfully made the transition from multiple 5150 leg winner to the grueling 70.3 race.
Dayshaun Ramos, meanwhile, timed 4:39:38 to bag the Elite Category title, a division organized by the Philippine Sports Commission to highlight the talent of national team members. The category provides athletes a platform to shine while further sharpening their skills in high-level competition.
Bea Quiambao, another multiple 5150 champion, delivered a commanding performance, clocking 5:19:29 with leg times of 34:49-2:53:22:1:48:46 to secure the crown in the women’s Elite class.
Meanwhile, Reig also topped the men’s 18-24 division, with Santiago ruling the 30-34 class and Lukosz dominating the 40-44 category in the race organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. in partnership with the Davao City local government.
