Camarines Sur — Reigning world Ironman 70.3 champion Terrenzo Bozzone of New Zealand clinched the first Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines crown Sunday at the CamSur Watersports Complex here.

The 24-year-old Bozzone, who won the first Eagleman 70.3 USA this year, clocked three hours, 51 minutes and 25 seconds in the tough 1.9-kilometer swim, 90km bike, and 21.09km run.

Crowd favorite Chris McCormack of Australia and New Zealand’s eight-time champion Cameron Brown finished second and third with a time of 3:52:18 and 3:52:31, respectively.

“Cameron and Chris ran up well and I found myself struggling because of the heat. But thanks to the crowd, I made it,” said Bozzone who is preparing for the Ford Ironman World Championship on Oct. 10 in Kona, Hawaii.

Canadian Lisa Bentley, an 11-time Ironman winner, captured the women’s crown at 4:24:29. American Gina Kehr and Australian Charlotte Paul timed 4:26:11 and 4:31:26 for second and third places, respectively.

Filipino Noy Jopson and Monica Torres were the top Filipino male and female finishers at 4:38:32 and 4:48:18, respectively.

The inaugural staging of the endurance race was marred by the death of Miguel Vazquez, a 52-year-old executive who collapsed after completing the 1.9-kilometer swim leg.

Death is not uncommon in Ironman races, but it marked the first time that a Filipino triathlete died in action.

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