SUBIC BAY--Australians headed by Matt Burton and Melissa Hauschildt dominated the first Challenge Triathlon Family Series held in the Philippines on Saturday after emerging champions in their respective divisions at the scenic Camayan Beach Resort and Ocean Adventure here.
Burton, a native of Perth, struggled in the 1.9-kilometer swim but made up for it with exhilirating effort in the 10-km bike and 21-km run parts to overtake countryman Michael Murphy in posting his first ever victory in the circuit.
He clocked four hours, 26 minutes and 53 seconds, besting Murphy, who timed in 4:28:41 for second place.
Swedish Frederick Croneborg checked in at third place in 4:29:42 while another pair of Aussie bets Greg Bennett and Mitchell Anderson came in fourth and fifth in 4:32:34 and 4:36:41, respectively.
So overjoyed was the 26-year-old Burton that he was already celebrating just a few meters away from the finish line, waving to the enthusiastic weekend crowd and giving high fives to everyone who offered it.
He was rewarded with a hug and a kiss on the lips by pretty girlfriend Kim Bishop as he reached the tape, kneeled on the sand in disbelief and victoriously acknowledged the crowd again.
"It was pretty special for me because this is the biggest victory to date," said Burton, who have won a couple of races back home before pulling off this recent feat.
Hauschildt, 36, showed why she is the 2011 and 2013 Ironman 70.3 World champion after finishing sixth overall and first among women participants by timing in 4:39:26, over six minutes ahead of another Australian Anabel Luxford, who finished with a time of 4:47:04.
"It was a beautiful race, I really enjoyed it," said Hauschildt.
Triathlon legend and Challenge ambassador Chris "Maccah" McCromack of Australia participated and wound up 17th overall.
Augusto Benedicto emerged the best Filipino and Asian competitor after he checked in 12th overall 4:44:44 while Monica Torres reasserted her mastery over the local lady participants by clocking in 5:28:05.
"I didn't push hard in the swimming part because I know I'm strong at biking and running," said the 29-year-old Benedicto, who came in way behind former Southeast Asian Gamer Arland Macasieb in the swim before zooming past the latter after it, in Filipino.
The race also had a touch of royalty.
Lending the two-day event prestige were Bahrain Princes Shaik Nasser and Khalid Al Khalifa, aged 27 and 24 years old, respectively, participated and came in one after the other with solid performances.
About 700 participants from 38 different countries joined the race backed by The Philippine STAR, Subic Bay, MMDA, Department of Tourism, Camayan Beach Resort and Hotel, Ocean Adventure, Adventure Beach, Gatorade, Premier, Yellow Cab, New Balance, Planet Sports, Polar, GU, Solar, Seafood Islands, Thanyapura Phuket, Specialized, Quintanaroo, Subic Homes, The Lighthouse Hotel, SwimBikeRun, marathon-photos.com, Kameraworld, Petron, PLDT and Swim.PH with Solar Sports, Easy Rock 96.3, Manila Bulletin, Business World, Men's Health and Women's Health as other media partners.