Christie Sym, Paul Ambrose Win In Racine
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Pair of Australians beats the heat to win at Ironman 70.3 Racine Triathlon.
Reclining in a chair under a tent, Christie Sym was slow coming around after maxing out a body that doesn’t max out so easily.
The native of Sydney, Australia, had just won the women’s championship of the Ironman 70.3 Racine Triathlon Sunday in hot, humid conditions after punishing herself for nearly 4 1/2 hours. Sym, who turned professional at last year’s event in Racine, later received intravenous fluids and munched on salty potato chips for several minutes before getting back on her feet more than an hour after she crossed the finish line.
One could question the depth of her desire considering the oppressive conditions, but the 27-year-old Sym just had to have this race. Even though this was her fourth competitive event in nine days, she wasn’t going to accept anything less than her first championship in an Ironman series event.
“I was a bit tired, but I just thought it’s about time I took a win at one of these,” Sym said. “I train very hard and I know I’m capable of it. Today, I just really, really dug deep and hurt myself.”
Sym finished the event, which consisted of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bicycle race and a 13.1-mile run, in 4:28.54. Finishing second was Kristin Andrews of Chevy Chase, Md., in 4:33.26.
Professional Paul Ambrose made it two for two for Sydney. Dedicating the race to his ailing mother, Janice, the 26-year-old Ambrose dominated a field that included Craig Alexander, defending champion of this event who is also a former Ironman world champion.
Read more: Journal Times