MANILA (June 15, 2025) – John Patrick Ciron beat seasoned rivals to rule the Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay in Zambales on Sunday.

Ciron finished the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run race with a total time of 4 hours, 37 minutes and 28 seconds, according to a news release.

Veteran August Benedicto, the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu champion, placed second in 4:40:58, followed by Mervin Santiago (4:42:40).

“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, sa second lap ng run, dapat maabutan ko sila, kasi kung hindi, mahihirapan na akong makuha ‘yung panalo (I told myself I had to catch up with them in the second lap of the run or I might lose my shot at winning),” the native of Iriga City, Camarines Sur said.

He clocked 30:45 in swim, 2:33:21 in bike and 1:28:17 in run.

“Hindi ko na rin natantya kung saan ako umatake. Basta focus lang talaga. Target ko talaga ay mabilis na run, pero grabe, sobrang hirap (I didn’t even know exactly where I launched my attack. I just kept my focus. I really aimed for a fast run but it was extremely hard),” he added.

Ciron also won the 2025 World Triathlon Development Regional Cup and National Championships in Vietnam in April.

Indonesian Dea Salsabila Putri clocked 5:26:22 with split times of 27:44/03:10:21/01:41:07 to claim victory in the women’s division.

Erika Burgos (5:32:30) settled for second while Nicole Andaya (5:37:09) finished third.

Benedicto and Burgos shared the Bagong Bayani (New Hero) awards, a special elite category for current and former Filipino national athletes.

In Sunrise Sprint which featured a 750m open-water swim, 20km bike ride, and 5km run, Darrell Bada won in 1:06:29.

Dayshaun Ramos (1:06:35) was second followed by Peter del Rosario (1:10:02). The three also swept the top spots in the 15–19 age group.

Katrina Salazar ruled the women’s division in 1:19:50, while Hanzel Barrameda (1:33:39) and Mikaela Caruncho (1:34:15) were second and third, respectively. 

Salazar also won the 20–24 category, Barrameda dominated the 25–29 category and Athena Gumaya topped the 15–19 category.

Other winners were Daniel Cadavos (20–24) and John Paul Daquioag (25–29). (With a report from Jean Malanum/PNA)