Ironman 70.3 Philippines
Camarines Sur, Philippines
August 23rd, 2009
The weather in Camsur you ask? Located about 700 miles South of Taiwan and about 700 miles directly East of Vietnam, hot and sticky just doesn't explain it. "It's like racing in a steam room, only with the sun beaming down on your back!", explained McCormack after the race.
When the cannon went off, there wasn't anything in the sky to protect the athletes aside from a few clouds building off in the distance. Held between two mountain ranges, the course is basically dead flat. Uniquely, the swim was held in two man made lakes -normally used for wake boarding- and the bike consisted of two out-and-back loops to Nato Port in Sagnay. The run was also an out-and-back course that sent the athletes through narrow rural village roads.
As expected, Australian Pete Jacobs lead out of the swim in 24:45 followed by the lead group of McCormack, Bozzone, Brown and Marr, all just a few seconds back. The water was much to warm for anyone to really give it a serious effort. The entire pack basically came out of the water together, heading out onto the narrow roads for the 56 mile bike ride. "Early on the bike we were all together and it was hard to get away because of the small roads that were just stuffed with fans. The crowds were just absolutely incredible!", stated McCormack.
With the local police reporting crowds at just under 90,000 people, it made for a rather amazing course for the athletes as they danced in and out of the little villages that decorated the local scene. When asked of the bike course, McCormack reported, "It was an amazingly beautiful bike ride and a real look at the Philippines culture. Through each of the little towns all the school kids had dressed up with drums and flags and they all yelled "Go Ironman". Absolutely amazing! Just loved it."
The group of McCormack, Jacobs, Marr, Brown and Bozzone remained together with no one able to get away. At the half way point of the bike, Cameron Brown of New Zealand lead the group around the u-turn out at Nato Port before heading back into town. It was on the way home that McCormack and Bozzone were finally able to get away, creating a 60 second gap on the now trailing Brown, Marr and Jacobs. "I got off the bike with Bozzone and just a small lead on the group behind us. I felt good but it was unbelievably hot so we were all rather cautious and no one just went for out of T2," stated McCormack.
Early on the run, it was obvious the heat was holding court today and the athletes were holding back. It was McCormack who finally made a push at the 15K mark and was able to increase his lead just a bit. Bozzone was the only one who was able to respond, going with him. "We went through the first 15K of the run together, but as it was just so hot and humid, I decided to walk an aid station to get some fluids in as I had no Clif Shots left on me. I was really running low on energy but pushed on anyway. Terenzo ended getting the gap on me there at the aid station and was able to hold on for the win. But mate, we were all in a bad way in the end. It was just ridiculously hot!"
Asked of his race, McCormack stated, "The frustrating thing about this type of race is that it's just too hot to tell how my fitness is because we were all just surviving out there. These races in the Philippines, Singapore, etc make Kona seem cool and dry. This race was just unbelievably hot, I don't even know how to describe it. The actual race itself is incredible though. They have done an amazing job. Truly, this has been one of the nicest races I've ever done. The heat was just oppressive, that's for sure, but the course itself and the hospitality we have been shown here in the Philippines is the best I've ever experienced. I will be back to this race for sure. The people are just wonderful and happy and we have been looked after like we are rock-stars."
Chris McCormack if off to Hawaii for a two week training block before he'll be in California on September 13th to defend his Title at the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. McCormack will then race the 70.3 Cancun on September 27th as his final tune up leading into Ironman Hawaii on October 11th.
Ironman 70.3 Philippines
Top Five Men:
1. Terenzo Bozzone 3:51:25
2. Chris McCormack 3:52:18
3. Cameron Brown 3:52:31
4. Pete Jacobs 3:56:51
5. Timothy Marr 4:02:52
