39 Filipino bets gird for IRONMAN Worlds

JET Ramos and Alessandra Castaneda lead a pack of Filipino endurance racers in the World Championship in Nice, France and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, respectively, following strong finishes in the justconcluded Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines in Subic. Ramos and Castaneda emerged the top local performers in the third staging of the grueling 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run race in wet, windy conditions last Sunday, earning not just a chance to compete with the world’s best but also $1,000 each, courtesy of Century Pacific Food COO and EVP Greg Banzon. Ramos, of Baguio Benguet Triathlon, timed 10:20:34 to finish fifth in the men’s side topped by Dutch Eric van der Linden while Castaneda, of Chery Auto PH Tri Team, clocked 12:17:46 to likewise post a fifth-place effort in her side of the event ruled by Japanese Chigusa Yamashita and organized by The IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events, Inc.

A smattering of fans had already started to gather at the stadium, even with the 8:00 pm (1200 GMT) kickoff several hours away and the sun beating down.

Messi is set to join Inter Miami after two years at Paris Saint-Germain. AFP