DAVAO CITY — In an inspiring display of endurance and strategy, Dutch Olympian Eric van der Linden claimed the overall championship at the IRONMAN 70.3 Davao on Sunday, outpacing competitors half his age to finish in 4 hours, 19 minutes, and 27 seconds.
The 50-year-old athlete from Schagen, North Holland, showcased his experience and tenacity, dominating the swim and bike stages before holding off strong challenges from younger rivals in the final run.
Van der Linden’s powerful swim (27:50) and bike performance (2:19:06) gave him a crucial lead, allowing him to cross the finish line ahead of Filipinos John Patrick Ciron and Franklin Yee, who secured second and third place, respectively.
Ciron clocked in at 4:19:45, just 18 seconds behind the Dutchman, while Yee finished with a time of 4:20:25.
Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Leyann Ramo of Lanao del Norte continued her winning streak by capturing the title with a time of 4:48:18.
Ramo’s relentless determination was evident as she posted the fastest times in the bike and run segments, outpacing her competitors by a significant margin.
Ramo, who recently triumphed in Subic, led the women’s division from start to finish, clocking 29:47 in the swim, 2:34:37 in the bike, and 1:38:44 in the run.
Sophie Capistrano finished second with a time of 5:12:14, while Chloe Jane Ong secured third place in 5:21:05.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Davao, featuring a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike, and 21.1 km run, also served as a grand showcase for the newly developed Davao City Coastal Road, adding a scenic yet challenging backdrop to the grueling race.
Van der Linden’s victory highlighted the value of experience in the high-stakes competition, as he outpaced younger athletes in a display of strategy and resilience.
“Experience and determination are key in such endurance races,” van der Linden said after the race. “It’s not just about speed; it’s about knowing when to push and when to conserve energy.”
Ramo’s triumph further cemented her status as one of the rising stars in Philippine triathlon. “I gave everything I had in this race,” Ramo said. “Winning here in Davao, with such strong competition, feels incredible.”
The race, organized by The IRONMAN Group, saw a strong showing from local athletes. Notably, former IRONMAN Philippines champion Petr Lukosz of the Czech Republic finished fourth overall, and Jorry Ycong placed fifth.
In the age-group categories, van der Linden also topped the 50-54 group, while Ciron claimed the 25-29 crown, and Yee ruled the 18-24 division.
Ramo also won the women’s 30-34 title, with Capistrano taking the women’s 18-24 trophy, and Ong securing the 35-39 title.
The IRONMAN 70.3 Davao not only highlighted the athletic prowess of its participants but also underscored the growing significance of the Davao City Coastal Road as a premier venue for international sporting events.
