Ironman 70.3 San Juan Features Top Pros

The Ironman 70.3 San Juan triathlon in Puerto Rico will take place this Saturday, March 19. Despite no track record, the event has attracted a professional field on par with top half-iron distance events.

Men’s Race

Although reigning Ironman world champion Chris McCormack tops the men’s starting list, it is difficult to call him the favorite. The Australian has not only made it clear that qualifying for the Olympics is a priority, he will also likely be tired as he is one week removed from a DNF at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

The favorite to win has to be Ironman 70.3 world championship podium finisher Tim O’Donnell of the United States. O’Donnell, who will compete in his first Ironman next month, is a specialist at the half-Ironman distance and will likely be tough to beat.

See the men’s starting list below:

1. Chris McCormack (AUS)
2. Tim O’Donnell (USA)
3. Richie Cunningham (AUS)
4. Paul Amey (GBR)
5. Luke McKenzie (AUS)
6. Chris McDonald (AUS)
7. Maxim Kriat (UKR)
8. Oscar Galindez (ARG)
9. Tony White (USA)
10. Marko Albert (EST)
11. Patrick Evoe (USA)
12. Brent Poulsen (CAN)
13. Andres Castillo (COL)
14. David Kahn (USA)
15. Victor Del Corral (ESP)
16. Jeff Paul (USA)
17. Jim Lubinski (USA)
18. Trevor Delsaut (FRA)
19. Edgardo Velez (PRI)
20. Joe McDaniel (USA)
21. Nick Waninger (USA)
22. Tim Snow (USA)
23. Alessandro Degasperi (ITA)
24. Heath Thurston (USA)
25. Allan Villanueva (MEX)
26. Justin Daerr (USA)
27. Will Smith (NZL)
28. Mikel Elgezabal (ESP)

Women’s Race

The women’s race features several athletes who are capable of taking the victory. The Netherlands’ Yvonne Van Vlerken is fresh off of a successful ending to her 2010 season. Van Vlerken placed in the top 10 at the Ironman World Championship before turning around and winning an Ironman title at Ironman Cozumel a few weeks later. This will be her first race of 2011. Also hitting the race circuit for the first time this year is Ironman 70.3 World Championship podium finisher Magali Tisseyre of Canada. Unlike Van Vlerken, Tissseyre’s main focus is the half-Ironman distance. She’s made it clear that she will continue to get faster because she considers a jump up to Ironman. American Kelly Williamson also has to be considered a top contender. After turning in a breakout 2010 season, Williamson started 2011 off on the right note with a win at the Rev3 Costa Rica triathlon. She’s proven she has the fitness and the ability to deal with tropical weather, and that will fare well for her come Saturday. Although these three stand out as the favorites, there are plenty of other women making the start on Saturday who could sneak on the top podium step.

See the women’s starting list below:

40. Yvonne Van Vlerken (NLD)
41. Magali Tisseyre (CAN)
42. Kelly Williamson (USA)
43. Kate Major (AUS)
44. Caitlin Snow (USA)
45. Nina Kraft (GER)
47. Kim Loeffler (USA)
48. Bree Wee (USA)
49. Heidi Jesberger (GER)
50. Alessandro Carvalho (BRA)
51. Emily Cocks (USA)
52. Amanda Lovato (USA)
53. Tamara Kozulina (UKR)
54. Amanda McKenzie (AUS)
55. Eva Dollinger (AUT)
56. Morgan Chaffin (USA)
58. Anna Cleaver (NZL)
59. Margaret Shapiro (USA)
60. Erin Spitler (USA)
61. Nicole Woysch (GER)
62. Ariane Monticeli (BRA)