Australian Dimity Lee Duke, Manami Iijima of Guam and Hong Kong’s Leanne Szeto set out for a grueling test of endurance as they dispute the women’s elite pro crown in the Black Arrow Express 5150 on Sunday in Subic Bay.
Duke ended two years of frustrations in 5150 races in the country’s triathlon capital with a come-from-behind victory over Laura Wood last year with the regular PH campaigner all geared up for another crack at the crown in the premier 1.5k swim-40k bike-10k run event.
But Duke, who also won a 5150 event in Bohol and turned in podium finishes in other Ironman 70.3 races, expects a fierce challenge from her rivals, including Iijima, who actually finished ahead of Duke in Ironman 70.3 in Cebu last August.
With her focus, commitment and drive to excel, the 25-year-old Iijima, who also placed third in the Lixil Ironman in Japan last June, hopes to nail her first 5150 diadem in the upcoming event sponsored by one of the country’s top eCommerce Logistics companies.
Focus will also be on Szeto, an Asian Games veteran and a former mainstay of Hong Kong’s national team whose experience in endurance races have equipped her with the know-how to compete with the best.
But Duke vowed to go all out to dominate the Olympic distance triathlon series, particularly in the bike and run stages, with compatriot Sam Betten also fancied in the men’s side for a possible sweep by the aces from Down Under on a course they are very familiar with.
