Alistair Brownlee was second out of the water behind fellow Olympian Ben Kanute, but he quickly took over the top spot once on the bike.
Great Britain’s Tim Don, a former ITU star in his own right, is part of the chase behind Brownlee.
Brent McMahon, a former winner of this race and another Olympian, rides in pursuit of Brownlee.
Two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Sebastian Kienle came out of the water about two minutes back.
The defending champ Lionel Sanders knew he’d have some work to do with a three-minute deficit out of the water.
Great Britain’s Holly Lawrence has been unstoppable at the 70.3 distance. She leads out of the water and then leaves the competition behind her.
Australia’s Ellie Salthouse also faced off against Lawrence at last month’s Ironman 70.3 Oceanside race.
American Jackie Hering is looking to make a statement in St. George.
South Africa’s Jeannie Seymour had a solid performance on Saturday.
Salthouse manages one of the many climbs on this tough St. George course.
Lawrence came to St. George looking to improve on her second-place finish from last year.
Brownlee surpassed everyone’s expectations of what he could do on a 56-mile non-drafting bike course. He rode a 2:01:39 – a time similar to both Kienle and Sanders, who are two of the best cyclists in the sport.
Sanders goes on the chase after coming out of the water three minutes back of Brownlee.
Australia’s Joe Gambles is looking to replicate his podium performance from 2016.
American Ben Hoffman is fresh off of an impressive sub-8 victory at the 2017 Ironman African Championships.
This was Brownlee’s first official 70.3 effort.
Brownlee rode off of the front and had a lead of three minutes over Kienle and Sanders at T2.
Brownlee showcases some of his impressive bike handling skills.
Tim Don at Ironman 70.3 St. George. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image
Brownlee on one of the several beautiful climbs on this course.
Sanders significantly cut into Brownlee’s time on the run, but he ran out of space and had to settle for second.
Kienle gets off the bike with three minutes to make up on Brownlee.
Brownlee takes his signature run style on to the tough St. George half-marathon.
McMahon and Gambles work to make up the gap to Brownlee, Kienle and Sanders.
Lawrence jumps onto the run course with a more-than-seven-minute lead.
Seymour was the fast mover of the day. She significantly cut into Lawrence’s lead, but a half-marathon wasn’t enough to catch her.
Rachel Joyce competes at the Ironman 70.3 North American Championships in St. George. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image
Brownlee caps off his day with a 1:14:49 half-marathon.
A new course record of 3:41:58 for Brownlee.
Sanders takes the runner-up spot just over 30 seconds later.
Kienle cruises in behind Sanders for the final podium spot.
Tim Don wears some interesting eyewear on the course on his way to a fourth-place finish.
Ben Kanute is one to watch. The 24-year-old is already competing with the best in 70.3. Here he finishes fifth.
Brownlee is the target of the podium champagne celebration.
Lawrence cruises down the chute for the victory.
A 4:12:07 finish for the reigning 70.3 world champion.
Salthouse rounds out the podium.
Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee and Holly Lawrence were both impressive at Saturday’s Ironman 70.3 North American Championships in St. George. For Brownlee, it was proof that he can compete against (and beat) the best in the world at the 70.3 distance. For Lawrence, it was another step in solidifying her spot as the best female 70.3 athlete in the world. Read the recap here
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