Ben Allen wins back-to-back Xterra Philippines titles

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.