Editors’ Picks For 70.3 Texas

The field at this Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Texas (the U.S. Professional Championship) in Galveston is stacked. With such top names as Michael Raelert, Lance Armstrong and Tim O’Donnell on the men’s side, and Kelly Williamson, Heather Wurtele and Caitlin Snow on the women’s side, it’ll be a tough race. We polled Triathlete and Inside Triathlon’s editors to find out their picks for the crowns and why.

Courtney Baird, Editor-in-chief, Inside Triathlon magazine

Men: Lance Armstrong (USA)

“Because he’s Lance, and it’s Texas.”

Women: Kelly Williamson (USA)

“She’s in great form right now and likely to keep getting faster.”

Julia Beeson Polloreno, Editor-in-chief Triathlete

Men: Michael Raelert (GER)

“If he’s healthy, Michael Raelert will be raring to go and ravenous for the win.”

Women: Kelly Williamson (USA)

“She’s on fire right now, coming off a win at San Juan 70.3. If she has a good day on the bike, she will be tough to beat. Few (guys or girls) can run as fast as Kelly off the bike!”

Holly Bennett, Editor at large, Triathlete and Inside Triathlon

Men: Michael Raelert (GER)

“If Raelert has remained injury free since his last race (Ironman 70.3 Laguna Phuket), his phenomenal run speed will be tough to beat.”

Women: Heather Wurtele (CAN)

“Heather Wurtele gets my vote – she’ll be extra motivated after pulling out of her season opener race in Abu Dhabi and due to illness.”

Liz Hichens, Web Producer, Triathlete.com

Men: Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL)

“It’s really hard not to pick Michael Raelert, but there’s no way to know what shape he’s in after being out most of last year with an injury. Marino Vanhoenacker seems to always have a great base coming out of winter and had a great result at Ironman New Zealand (70.3) a few weeks back.”

Women: Kelly Williamson (USA)

“Williamson is off to another amazing start this season. She’s running as fast as some of the pro men so she’ll be tough to beat.”

Aaron Hersh, Senior tech editor, Triathlete magazine

Men: Timothy O’Donnell (USA)

“A proven commodity at the 70.3 distance, O’Donnell didn’t show any signs of slowing down as a result of going to Ironman training last year.”

Women: Kelly Williamson (USA)

“She has shown the ability to dominate early-season races with sharp run fitness.”

Jené Shaw, Senior editor, Triathlete magazine

Men: Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL)

“His record-breaking finish at last year’s Ironman Austria may have taken too much out of him for a great result in Kona (he dropped out during the run), but his recent win at the Ironman-turned-half in New Zealand shows he has 70.3 chops. I think he can ride with the strongest riders in the field (Lance, TJ Tollakson, etc.), and hopefully he can come out on top. Second pick is Michael Raelert—if he’s healthy and ready, we know he can rock this distance.”

Women: Kelly Williamson (USA)

“She’s looking strong in the early season with her second at Panama 70.3 and win at San Juan 70.3 only last weekend. Question is if she’s rested enough to pull off another top spot—we’ll see!”