Matthews, McGlone Win Ironman 70.3 Syracuse

Both Australia’s Paul Matthews and Canada’s Samantha McGlone won today’s Ironman 70.3 Syracuse event in New York by leading off of the swim, bike and run.

Trek/K-Swiss team member Matthews started off the day with a 24:17 swim time to take a narrow lead into T1 over American James Hadley. Matthews outpaced the next fastest cyclist by nearly seven minutes to take a demanding lead into T2. Even with no one chasing him, Matthews managed to post the fastest half marathon time of the day at 1:14:23 to take the 3:49:49 win. Ukraine’s Maxim Kriat finished second more than eight minutes later, with Canada’s Sean Bechtel claiming third.

Things were closer throughout the day in the women’s race. Despite not being known for her swimming skills, McGlone showed great improvement at today’s race, exiting the water in first in 27:34. The small lead out of the swim was enough for McGlone, as she cycled a 2:31:49 bike split to carry her lead into T2. Although she wasn’t the fastest runner on the course, her 1:26:24 half-marathon time was enough to hold of her pursuers. She took the win in 4:28:55. American Rachel Challis was second, with age grouper Kristin White taking the third overall spot.

Ironman 70.3 Syracuse
Syracuse, N.Y. – September 19, 2010
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Paul Matthews (AUS) 3:49:49
2. Maxim Kriat (UKR) 3:58:01
3. Sean Bechtel (CAN) 4:00:09
4. James Hadley (USA) 4:02:34
5. Mike Caiazzo (USA) 4:06:32

Women
1. Samantha McGlone (CAN) 4:28:55
2. Rachel Challis (USA) 4:30:37
3. Kristin White (USA) 4:31:11
4. Annie Gervais (CAN) 4:31:52
5. Tamara Kozulina (UKR) 4:32:33