Reig and Quiambao Crowned Champions at BYD Ironman 70.3 Davao
Under the punishing tropical sun and relentless pressure from seasoned competitors, Irienold Reig Jr. and Bea Marie Quiambao emerged victorious at the BYD Ironman 70.3 Davao presented by Aboitiz. The grueling race concluded on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Bago Aplaya Esplanade along the Davao City Coastal Road, testing athletes with extreme heat, humidity, and coastal winds.
Breakthrough Performances Define the Race
Irienold Reig Jr., a 23-year-old representing Team Megawide, delivered a stunning breakthrough performance to secure the overall men's crown. He completed the challenging course in 4 hours, 33 minutes, and 41 seconds, establishing himself as a rising star in Philippine triathlon. Reig set an early pace with a commanding 32:26 swim, maintaining a slim lead through the bike and run segments despite fierce challenges from veteran athletes.
Bea Marie Quiambao, a 25-year-old from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, dominated the women's overall race with a time of 5 hours, 19 minutes, and 29 seconds. She showcased steady splits across all three disciplines, navigating the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike ride, and 21.1-kilometer run with precision. In a post-race interview with SunStar Davao, Quiambao expressed surprise at her victory, stating she entered without high expectations.
Quiambao's Journey and Challenges
Quiambao, an athlete from the Sante Barley Club, revealed her rigorous daily training regimen, which often included two to three sessions per day. She admitted the swim leg posed significant difficulties due to strong currents and direct sunlight. "I struggled in the swim because of the strong current and sunlight were facing us. What kept me going was the people who believed in me and supported me," she shared. This marked her second 70.3 distance race, following her debut in Palawan in 2022, and she also secured the Filipino elite women's championship trophy.
Intense Competition and Podium Finishers
In the men's division, Petr Lukosz, the 2022 Ironman Subic champion, finished a close second overall in 4:34:29, just 48 seconds behind Reig. Lukosz used a blistering 2:16:58 bike split to stay competitive and topped the male 40–44 age group. Mervin Rencel Santiago from Valenzuela City completed the podium in 4:36:02, dominating the male 30–34 division with a strong bike-run combination.
For the women, Leyann Ramo, the 2024 Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao champion, pushed hard to finish second overall in 5:23:06. She recorded the fastest run among podium finishers at 1:44:06 but fell short of catching Quiambao. Ramo still claimed the women's 30–34 age-group title. Nicole Andaya rounded out the podium in 5:35:27, delivering one of the day's fastest bike splits at 2:45:34.
Notable Participants and Relay Results
Celebrity triathlete and social media personality Aira Lourdes Lopez drew attention by finishing seventh overall in the women's category with a time of 5:45:49. Despite a difficult swim, Lopez rebounded to win the female 25–29 age group. In the Filipino elite men's division, Dayshaun Ramos led with a 4:39:38 finish, followed by Maynard Pecson and Joshua Alexander Ramos.
Relay teams also showcased intense competition, with Team Juana taking the overall title in 4:26:46, narrowly edging out Team Ferrumtri and Tri Team 2Go 3. Earlier in the day, the Sunrise Sprint event featured standout performances, including Iñaki Lorbes dominating the men's field in 1:05:34 and Anisha Caluya capturing the women's overall title.
The BYD Ironman 70.3 Davao highlighted the resilience and skill of athletes facing extreme conditions, with Reig and Quiambao leading the charge as new champions in the Philippine triathlon scene.
