Craig Alexander, Radka Vodickova Victorious At 70.3 Putrajaya
Three-time Ironman world champion Craig "Crowie" Alexander (AUS) showed again that at the age of 42 he can compete with anyone.
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Three-time Ironman world champion Craig “Crowie” Alexander (AUS) showed again that at the age of 42 that he is capable of competing with—and beating—some of the best in the world at Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya. Radka Vodickova was impressive in the women’s race to reclaim the title that was hers in 2014. All athletes faced brutally hot conditions in the Malaysian race, with temperatures reaching the 90s.
Alexander put together a 25:25 swim, a 2:08:52 bike and a 1:17:31 half-marathon, giving him the victory in 3:55:36. Australia’s Josh Amberger led off of the bike, but couldn’t keep pace on the run and had to settle for second in 3:59:05. Great Britain’s Stuart Hayes rounded out the podium in 4:01:25.
“It’s really nice to win following on from Subic Bay recently as well,” Alexander told Ironman.com. “It was hot in the water and on the bike, so the key was not to spike the heart rate. I was conservative on the swim and tried to keep at a steady pace on the bike. We got caught by the bunch on the second loop and things slowed a little but in fact it may have played into my hands. I felt really good on the run, made sure I kept the fluids up and was able to catch Josh. He is a great young athlete and one of the best swim-bikers I’ve ever come up against.”
Vodickova swam a 27:03, biked a 2:23:56 and then ran her way to a 1:27:19 half-marathon to get the 4:22:16 victory. Australia’s Liz Blatchford was second in 4:26:05, with Australia’s Kate Bevilaqua narrowly edging out the United States’ Beth Gerdes for third at 4:36:18.
“Wow it was crazy hot out there but everything was perfect for me today,” Vodickova told Ironman.com. “I did not push too much in the water and it was important to keep a normal pace on the bike as well. Once it came to the run I made sure I focused on hydration at every aid station and before I knew it I was at the finish.”
2016 Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya
Putrajaya, Malaysia – April 3, 2016
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Craig Alexander (AUS) 3:55:36
2. Josh Amberger (AUS) 3:59:05
3. Stuart Hayes (GBR) 4:01:25
4. Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 4:03:15
5. Adam Gordon (NZL) 4:04:48
Women
1. Radka Vodickova (CZE) 4:22:16
2. Liz Blatchford (AUS) 4:26:05
3. Kate Bevilaqua (AUS) 4:36:18
4. Beth Gerdes (USA) 4:36:24
5. Kathryn Haesner (NZL) 4:39:23