Challenge Philippines: GB’s Emma Pooley takes a second shot
Olympic silver medallist Pooley and top age-grouper Parys Edwards racing this weekend
There’ll be plenty of British interest at this weekend’s Challenge Philippines, with Olympic medal-winning cyclist Emma Pooley and top age-grouper Parys Edwards among those shooting for the €5,000 prize for first place.
Pooley placed third at last year’s middle distance race behind Aussie duo Melissa Hauschildt and Annabel Luxford, neither of whom are expected to race this year. Her main rivals this year will include local favourite Monica Torres and American athlete Kelly Williamson, who won Ironman Texas last year.
Away we go! Adventures await w/ d3rick. @roadid @memorialhermann #ChallengePhilippines http://t.co/7mTFqV99MJ
— Kelly H Williamson (@khwilliamson) February 16, 2015
The men’s race is likely to be dominated by two-time Ironman World Champion Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, Italian former pro cyclist Domenico Passuello, Challenge Atlantic City winner Fredrik Croneborg of Sweden and inaugural Challenge Philippines second placer Michael Murphy of Australia.
This will be the second year that Challenge Philippines has run, and nearly 700 athletes are expected to take part in what is touted as one of the toughest half distance races in Asia.
Who do you think will win Challenge Philippines? Let us know in the comments!
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
