Potts, McBride Take Titles At 70.3 Austin
The United States’ Andy Potts and Canada’s Rachel McBride earned the victories at today’s Ironman 70.3 Austin race in Texas.
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The United States’ Andy Potts and Canada’s Rachel McBride earned the victories at today’s Ironman 70.3 Austin race in Texas.
Men’s Race
As is usually the case when Potts is racing, the American led the men into T1. His time of 22:34 gave him a slight advantage over Brandon Barrett (USA), Mauro Cavanha and Brandon Marsh (USA). Two pre-race contenders, T.J. Tollakson (USA) and Chris McCormack (AUS), exited the water just over two minutes back of Potts. Despite racing (and finishing seventh) at the Ironman World Championship just two weeks ago, Potts was able to put a solid effort in on the bike, posting a bike split time of 2:11:21. Only Tollakson was able to catch up to and pass Potts. His field-leading 2:08:12 bike split gave him the top spot to start the half-marathon. Although Tollakson posted strong times throughout the 13.1 miles of running, he wasn’t able to hold off Potts. Potts’ 1:14:06 run split gave him an edge over Tollakson and the 3:51:29 win. Tollakson earned second at 3:52:07. McCormack posted a well-rounded day across swim, bike and run to earn third.
Women’s Race
American Lauren Brandon posted the fastest swim split for the women, exiting the water in a time of 24:21. Next into T1 were Canada’s Tenille Hoogland (25:43) and the United States’ Tami Ritchie (25:46). McBride exited T1 just under three minutes back of Brandon, but her skills on the bike quickly erased that gap. McBride cycled her way to a 56-mile split of 2:22:07, by far the fastest of the women’s field. She headed out of T2 with a nice lead over Hoogland. Though she wasn’t the fastest runner on the day, McBride’s lead from the bike was too much for anyone to overcome. Her 1:27:23 half-marathon gave her the 4:20:53 victory. The Netherlands’ Yvonne Van Vlerken ran her way from fourth off of the bike to second at the finish line. Hoogland claimed third.
Ironman 70.3 Austin
Austin, Texas – Oct. 28, 2012
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Andy Potts (USA) 3:51:29
2. T.J. Tollakson (USA) 3:52:07
3. Chris McCormack (AUS) 3:55:24
4. Jeff Symonds (CAN) 3:56:29
5. Brandon Marsh (USA) 4:01:50
Women
1. Rachel McBride (CAN) 4:20:53
2. Yvonne Van Vlerken (NED) 4:24:03
3. Tenille Hoogland (CAN) 4:25:07
4. Elizabeth Lyles (USA) 4:26:04
5. Jennifer Tetrick (USA) 4:26:35