Ben Allen wins back-to-back Xterra Philippines titles
by stu balmaceda pic by brosi gonzales
Liloan, Cebu -- Even with a target on his back, the result is still the same for
Australia’s Ben Allen who is now the back-to-back champion in the 2013 Vaseline
Men Xterra Off-road Triathlon Series, in sunburnt Liloan City, Cebu,
Philippines.
March 2, 2013 marks the start of another campaign to defend and
add on to his Triple Crown title in Asia. He finished with a speedy 2:37.40,
leaving everything he’s got on the so-called “toughest Xterra course” ever. Ben
has been training for months in his homeland of Australia in anticipation to
the unpredictable challenges the Philippine geography never fails to present.
In this Xterra, he had a surprisingly difficult time in the bike
course—a combination of steep and narrow paths with hills made extra slippery
by the rocks—but still managed his way around these obstacles. The heat was
everyone’s worst nightmare, but the champ also mentioned how one should be able
to roll with the punches and to always strive to be the best instead of letting
negative situations affect one’s performance.
Grateful and satisfied with his achievement, Ben Allen thanked
the organizers and sponsors for making the event something that even
professional athletes can never predict and expect. Also an emphasis on the
presence of the hydration stations with water and Gatorade that always gave
them an extra push to overcome the challenges.
This win, according to Ben Allen, gives him an extra boost of
confidence as well as a good lead when he takes on Xterra Saipan in the weeks
to come.
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