Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu Cebu: First-timer Ferris Astounds, Watkinson Makes Triumphant Return

In an electrifying showdown set against the spirited backdrop of Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Australian debutant Josh Ferris pulled off a stunning upset in the men’s pro division of the Ironman 70.3, while New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson made a powerful comeback to claim the women’s title.

Ferris powered through the grueling 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike, and 21-km run in an impressive 3:49:10, narrowly missing the local course record held by Mauricio Méndez (3:46:44, set in 2018) by just three minutes. From the outset, Ferris led the charge—emerging first from the water with a 21:37 swim split, maintaining momentum on the bike with a 2:02:15 ride, and powering through the run in 1:20:32 to clinch victory.

Despite posting the fastest final leg—a run split of 1:19:45—New Zealand’s Mike Phillips couldn’t quite close the gap, finishing second in 3:52:40. Another Kiwi, Sam Osborne, last year’s runner-up, rounded out the men’s podium in 4:04:05.

On the women’s side, Amelia Watkinson dominated, finishing in 4:14:22, marking a triumphant return to the event she won in 2017. Although she started off with a modest 26:24 swim—fourth among women pros—she surged ahead during the bike leg with a dominating performance, ultimately securing a near ten-minute lead on her nearest competitor. Australian Sophie Malowiecki placed second in 4:24:42, and Kiwi Samantha Kingsford took third in 4:27:45.

Beyond the numbers, what made the day unforgettable was the electric atmosphere. Ferris and Watkinson both spoke about the deafening cheers from schoolchildren and locals lining the course. “My ears were about to burst… all the school kids out there, all the people were cheering, and it was awesome,” Ferris shared, while Watkinson praised the unique “visual energy” and “racing with emotion” felt throughout the race.

The event wasn’t without drama. A brief rain made the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) slippery, causing a minor crash during the bike leg. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported, with medical teams responding swiftly to the scene.

As the day wound down, Ferris reflected on what the victory meant: “This is the pinnacle of our sport. Everyone grows up watching IRONMAN. To win here—it’s amazing. Hopefully, it’s the first of many.” Meanwhile, Watkinson hinted at the possibility of returning, though she remained noncommittal: “It’s a whole year away… I’d love to say yes, but we’ll take it race by race.” Her next stop? Uzbekistan—another challenge to conquer.