Published July 18, 2010 05:05PM
American Chris Lieto and Australian Mirinda Carfrae were victorious at today’s Vineman Ironman 70.3 race in Sonoma County, California. Lieto out-biked the competition, while Carfrae turned in her signature half-marathon performance.
American John Dahlz was the first out of the river in a time of 24:30. Another American, John O’Grady, was second, with New Zealand’s Kieran Doe, the United States’ James Cotter and Lieto not far behind. Once on the bike, Lieto turned in another dominating 56-mile performance, heading out onto the run course in front of Doe, Cotter and Dahlz. Lieto showed that he has once again been working on his running, as he turned in one of the fastest half marathons of the men at 1:16:44. The strong all-around race gave Lieto the victory in 3:54:05. At just over four hours, Doe crossed the line for second. Cotter, who has been fairing well in 70.3 races this year, found his way onto the podium at 4:02:39.
The women’s race started with American Dede Griesbauer leading into T1 with a swim time of 26:49. American Meredith Kessler, who recently finished second at Ironman Coeur d’Alene, was second. Carfrae found herself two minutes down of the faster swimmers. Carfrae wasn’t able to find her way to the front of the bike like she had in previous races this year, losing position and beginning the run in fifth position. Carfrae charged out of T2 and quickly caught all four women ahead of her, including Xterra all-star Melanie Mcquaid of Canada. Carfrae posted a run time of 1:16:52, which is similar to the top men at this race. She earned the victory in 4:15:51. Great Britain’s Leanda Cave turned in a steady day, finishing second in 4:22:03. Last year’s second-place finisher, American Tyler Stewart, finished third in 4:25:11.
Sonoma County, Calif. – July 18, 2010
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile swim, 13.1-mile
Men
1. Chris Lieto (USA) 3:54:05
2. Kieran Doe (NZL) 4:00:23
3. James Cotter (USA) 4:02:39
4. Jamie Whyte (NZL) 4:04:21
5. Paul Attard (AUS) 4:05:02
Women
1. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 4:15:51
2. Leanda Cave (GBR) 4:22:03
3. Tyler Stewart (USA) 4:25:11
4. Melanie McQuaid (CAN) 4:27:02
5. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:27:17