Chris McCormack Highlights Challenge Philippines Start List

The 2015 Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines Subic-Bataan race will take place this Saturday, Feb. 21, and the half-iron distance event will welcome a handful of top professionals.

Two-time Ironman world champion Chris “Macca” McCormack is the biggest name on the start list. The 41-year-old Australian is expected to meet stiff opposition from Challenge Atlantic City winner Fredrik Croneborg (SWE) and last year’s Challenge Philippines runner-up Michael Murphy (AUS).

Tagged as a dark horse is Domenico Passuello (ITA), a former pro cyclist who is expected to shine on Subic’s tough and hilly bike course. He is coming off a season highlighted by victories at the 2014 Challenge Rimini and Challenge Sardinia. Completing the men’s lineup are Brian Fleischmann (USA), 2013 Challenge Laguna Phuket winner Rasmus Petraeus (Denmark), Australia’s Eric Watson and Austrian Christoph Schlagbauer, who will be racing for the first time in the Philippines.

While hometown heroine Monica Torres (Philippines) should get a lot of attention in the women’s pro race, the Czech Republic’s Radka Vodickova and the United States’ Kelly Williamson are the two to watch.

Others to watch include Emma Pooley (GBR), Parys Edwards (GBR), Carole Fuchs (Thailand), Katja Rabe (GER), Louise Rundqvist (SWE) and Stef Puszka (AUT).

This will be the second running of the race, with nearly 700 athletes expected to participate.

Learn more at Challengephilippines.com.ph.