Published September 26, 2010 03:18PM
Ukraine’s Maksym Kriat and the United States’ Jessica Meyers took wins at today’s Ironman 70.3 Augusta event in Georgia.
Despite swimming an unusually fast 1.2-mile swim of 19:59, Kriat started the day at the pack of the pack as he was the thirteenth man in the first transition. He turned in a steady bike split of 2:11:00 to work his way up to fourth off of the bike. Once on the run, Kriat and others worked to chase young American Andrew Yoder, who had turned in a blistering bike split of 2:06:13. Yoder struggled on the run, eventually fading all the way thirteenth at the finish line, leaving the door open for his competition. Kriat found himself in the perfect position and posted a 1:13:20 half marathon for the 3:46:54 victory. Australia’s Richie Cunningham and Ukraine’s Victor Zyemtsev also turned in fast runs to earn podium positions.
The women’s race did not feature the same shuffling as the men’s. Meyers started the day second out of the water behind Canada’s Magali Tisseyre. Despite turning in the fastest swim and bike splits of the women, slower transitions meant that Tisseyre was the third women heading onto the run right behind Meyers and American Desiree Ficker. With the trio starting the half marathon so closely together, it would come down to the fastest run split for the victory. That honor went to Meyers thanks to a 1:23:21 half marathon. Her 4:15:31 victory is the first 70.3 win of her career. Tisseyre cruised in for second, with Ficker claiming third.
Ironman 70.3 Augusta
Augusta, Georgia – Sept. 26, 2010
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Maksym Kriat (UKR) 3:46:54
2. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:47:12
3. Victor Zyemtsev (UKR) 3:47:36
4. Chris Legh (AUS) 3:48:23
5. David Kahn (UAS) 3:50:59
Women
1. Jessica Meyers (USA) 4:15:31
2. Magali Tisseyre (CAN) 4:16:33
3. Desiree Ficker (USA) 4:19:21
4. Amanda Lovato (USA) 4:24:21
5. Kelly Fillnow (USA) 4:25:39*
* Age-group athlete