Meet an XTERRA Champion

CEBU, Philippines - To rank number one in the world, win the world championship and beat the best triathletes are among Ben Allen’s greatest goal in life.

Ben Allen is a world-class professional triathlete with over a decade of racing experience. He specializes in the drafting format from ITU sprint, ITU Olympic, half ironman distance and to the Xterra world off-road triathlon tour.

Allen captured the inaugural XTERRA Guam Championship last March 10 in the United States island territory of Guam, the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands and another championship during the XTERRA Philippines Championship last March 18 in Liloan, Cebu. It was the third XTERRA Championship for Allen, who also won XTERRA Brazil last year.

“This is my second race in the 15 series. In the next couple of months, I will keep my fingers crossed, hoping that I will get the titles,” he said. Along with his coach Manuel Roux, they aimed to win the three races straight, with a 110 percent readiness to win.

Allen is based in Wollongong, Australia, where he is a public school teacher, teaching health and fitness. From April to October, he joins the world’s elite endurance athletes in Europe, basing himself in France.

Before engaging into triathlon, he was an open water or ocean swimmer. He has raced and won many ocean swims, surf events and adventure races.

“I believe I have found the sport in which I love and enjoy. I am very passionate about XTERRA and grateful for every opportunity,” the 27-year old triathlete said.

“I love being fit and healthy. I like being with people who share the same interest like me and I enjoy such great atmosphere with the kids cheering you up,” he added.

Allen appreciated his first time experience in the Philippines especially in Cebu, which was the host . He loved the weather and the bike part. He added that the trail running was phenomenal, the terrain was tricky.

He practices four to five times a week with four to five hundred kilometers biking, 110 kilometers a week running, and six hours a day swimming. His strength is on swimming but he tried to find the balance among the three.

The most influential people in his life are his family (loved ones, who help him through the ups and downs), anyone inspiriting him to be the best and Stuart O’Grady with his never say die attitude.

“In every race that I have, there are many unexpected things that will happen. I don't easily get disappointed when these things will come because I will just stay focus and be determined to win the race,” he said. — Marigold P. Lebumfacil (FREEMAN)