Chrabot, Barnett Win in Racine
Severe weather forced the cancellation of the swim, modified bike-run course.
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Triathletes in Wisconsin anticipated racing 70.3 miles at Ironman 70.3 Racine this morning. Mother Nature, however had other plans. Severe thunderstorms with strong winds swept through southeastern Wisconsin early Sunday morning, forcing a cancellation of the swim and a delayed start for the modified bike-run race.
More than three hours after the scheduled start time, professional athletes kicked off their race with a time-trial start, leaving in ten-second increments in order of bib numbers. Age-groupers departed 10 minutes later in a rolling start to tackle the shortened 31.4 mile bike course and 13.1 run.
In the men’s pro race, Lionel Sanders established a spot at the front of the pack early, slicing through the still-windy bike course in 1:02:48. With a 90-second lead on the competition, Sanders looked strong heading out onto the run; however, Matt Chrabot looked stronger. Chrabot overcame a three-minute deficit to catch and pass Sanders, clocking a day-best 1:12:55 half marathon to take the win in 2:19:43. Sanders followed a minute later (2:20:57), with James Hadley placing third (2:24:18).
In the women’s pro race, Sarah Piampiano clocked the fastest bike split of the day with a 1:12:53. Lauren Barnett was close behind, exiting transition only six seconds down from Piampiano. It was a neck-and-neck race in the initial miles of the run, until Barnett surged ahead slightly, leaving Piampiano and the women’s field behind. Barnett’s 1:22 half marathon was enough to cement the first-place spot with an overall time of 2:36:37. Piampiano took second with a 2:38:33, while Sarah Haskins rounded out the podium with a 2:41:14.
Ironman 70.3 Racine
July 17, 2016
Racine, Wisc.
Men’s Race
1 2:19:43 Matt Chrabot
2 2:20:57 Lionel Sanders
3 2:24:18 James Hadley
4 2:25:00 Taylor Reid
5 2:26:06 Paul Matthews
6 2:27:16 Robbie Wade
7 2:28:05 Justin Metzler
8 2:30:36 Thomas Gerlach
Women’s Race
1 2:36:37 Lauren Barnett
2 2:38:33 Sarah Piampiano
3 2:41:14 Sarah Haskins
4 2:41:15 Jeanni Seymour
5 2:43:29 Jodie Robertson
6 2:46:19 Lesley Smith
7 2:49:34 Christen Brown
8 2:51:54 Jessica Chong
For full results, visit Ironman.com.