Pete, better watch your back, they're all after you

PILI, Camarines Sur ,Philippines  – For Pete Jacobs, the defending champion, it’s like wearing a big bullseye on his back.

“They’re all here to try and win for sure,” said the super triathlete from Australia on the eve of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

Jacobs is defending the crown he won in 2010 with a time of three hours, 58 minutes for a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run.

But keeping the title sure won’t be easy.

There’s a bunch of triathletes dying to be crowned champion this year, particularly the other foreign bets from among the record 1,100 participants.

During Friday’s press conference, Jacobs looked at both ends of the long table and saw serious threats to his title-retention bid.

“I’m looking at Cameron (Brown) and Jess (Thomas). They are the guys,” said Jacobs, second in the tough Ironman Australia in 2009.

“Jesse has been the fastest runner in all his events so he’s a big threat if he’s anywhere near you in the run,” said Jacobs of the bet from New Zealand.

“Cameron has been around for a long time and has always been consistent,” added Jacobs, who also should be looking at countryman Luke Gillmer.

Whoever it is, Jacobs said he’s ready, despite a foot injury that kept him off the road for several weeks this year.

Still, it could even turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

“It made me work harder on my swim and my bike so I’m going to test them here and just try to survive the run. I really want to race well here,” said Jacobs.

The battle for the women’s crown will be as interesting with the presence of Americans Amanda Stevens and Bree Wee, and Australians Belinda Granger and Amanda Balding.

Then there’s Katya Meyers, a ballerina, gymnast, triathlete and model rolled into one. She’s expected to provide the challenge, and make heads turn as well.

A total of $15,000 will be up for grabs among the foreigners, and P200,000 from among the locals led by Neil Catiil and Monica Torres.

To spice up today’s main event, organizers staged the Alaska Milk Ironkids yesterday, under a morning drizzle, and crowned a lot of champions among kids aged 6-14.

Among the proud and happy winners were Juan Francisco Baniqued, Lance Vincent Plaza, Nicole Santos, Sophia Vizcarra, Nathan Nalo, Sixto Lalanto, Tara Borlain and Magali Echauz.

Sharing the day’s honors were Eric Almendral, Nathan Manalo, Lance Pimentel, Rafael Penafiel, Samantha Borlain, Jesila de Juras, Ma. Margarita delos Reyes, Ingrid Dizon, Craig uy, Juan Manalo Barrera, Justine Mapalo, Gene Pagria, Everly Macalalad, Angelina Powell, Victorija Deldio and Jessica Salazar.