The Challenge Philippines awaited the participants with extreme heat. With temperatures around forty degrees, everyone had to be careful with their own reserves.
The men's race featured some well-known names, including Rasmus Petraeus, Chris McCormack, and Cologne native Till Schramm. As expected, Dane Petraeus led the professionals out of the water. However, behind him, the Australian armada that would ultimately dominate the race had already formed.
On the bike, Mike Murphy and Greg Bennett managed to take the lead. However, both also benefited from a tire defect of Petraeus. A similar fate befell Schramm, while Matt Burton pushed his way forward from behind. The Australian had conceded just under five minutes in swimming, but he had largely made up for this by the second change. Burton started the final half marathon just under sixty seconds behind Murphy, who had now detached himself from his companion. Behind them, Petraeus and Schramm put on their running shoes together with McCormack.
Murphy was ultimately unable to fend off the fast-moving Bennet and had to settle for second place. Burton, meanwhile, won with a time of 4:26:53. Third place went to Sweden's Frederick Croneborg, who clocked the fastest run of the day on the Philippine asphalt. Our professional blogger Till Schramm finished the race in seventh place.
Melissa Hauschild, the overwhelming favorite, won the women's race. The Australian had trailed Laura Bennett (USA) and Challenge Melbourne winner Annabel Luxford (Australia) after the swim, but took the lead halfway through the bike leg.
She then managed to continuously expand on this right up to the finish line. Second and third places went to Annabel Luxford and former World Time Trial Champion Emma Pooley.
result men
1. Matt Burton (Australia) 4:26:53
2. Mike Murphy (Australia) 4:28:41
3. Fredrik Croneborg (Sweden) 4:29:42
4. Greg Bennett (Australia) 4:32:34
5. Mitchell Anderson (Australia) 4:36:41
result women
1. Melissa Hauschildt (Australia) 4:39:26
2. Annabel Luxford (Australia) 4:47:04
3. Emma Pooley (UK) 4:47:43
4. Radka Vodickova (Czech Republic) 4:52:30
5. Laura Bennett (Australia) 5:17:55