Potts, Naeth Victorious Against Tough Field At Ironman 70.3 Timberman

With the championship-level races nearing, several top professionals chose to use today’s Ironman 70.3 Timberman in Gilford, N.H. as a final race opportunity before heading into big training blocks. The race continues to be a favorite of both professionals and age groupers thanks its stunning views, the festival-like atmosphere and its well-known post-race lobster boil. Today it was American Andy Potts—now a five-time winner of this race—and Canadian Angela Naeth who earned the victories.

Men’s Race
Super swimmer Dylan McNeice led the strong field out of the 1.2-mile swim with a split of 23:24. American Cameron Dye was next at 23:53, with American Tim O’Donnell (24:03), Australian Jake Montgomery (24:05) and Potts (24:08) chasing. Dye quickly took control on the bike, posting a race-best 2:06:06 split to earn a 3-minute lead over Potts, O’Donnell and Montgomery to start the run. Dye couldn’t carry that momentum on to the run, making it a two-person battle between Potts and O’Donnell—two of the American favorites heading into October’s Ironman World Championship. Potts posted the best run split of the day (1:15:30) to get the victory at 3:50:24. O’Donnell followed a minute later at 3:51:29, with Dye making in an all-American podium at 3:53:39.

RELATED: 20 Things You Probably Never Knew About Andy Potts

Women’s Race
Great Britain’s Rachel Joyce was the first woman into T1 thanks to a swim time of 27:20. American Katy Blakemore was close at just 7 seconds back, but from there it was a solid minute before the rest of the field finished the swim. Pre-race favorites Naeth (1:25 back) and American Heather Jackson (2:28 back) started the bike with some work to do. Naeth quickly erased that deficit and went on to dominate the 56-mile ride in 2:18:26. Jackson was also strong, turning in a 2:22:44 bike split but Naeth was well up the road with a 5-minute advantage to start the run. Naeth was solid throughout the half-marathon, leaving little hope for those behind her. She capped of her day with a 1:26:24 half-marathon to take the 4:16:14 win. Jackson also had a great run, putting her across the finish line in second at 4:20:41. Joyce ran her way from fifth off of the bike to third at the finish line in 4:25:05.

RELATED – PROfile: Angela Naeth

Ironman 70.3 Timberman
Gilford, N.H. – Aug. 16, 2015
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Andy Potts (USA) 3:50:24
2. Tim O’Donnell (USA) 3:51:29
3. Cam Dye (USA) 3:53:39
4. Trevor Wurtele (CAN) 3:55:09
5. Leon Griffin (AUS) 3:56:18

Women
1. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:16:14
2. Heather Jackson (USA) 4:20:41
3. Rachel Joyce (GBR) 4:25:05
4. Beth Shutt (USA) 4:29:49
5. Jeanni Seymour (RSA) 4:30:46

Complete results.