Updated: Reinaldo Colucci, Amanda Lovato Take Ironman 70.3 Pucón
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The United States’ Amanda Lovato and Brazil’s Reinaldo Colucci beat out last year’s winners to take the early-season titles.
While the women’s field at Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Pucón was not deep, it did contain a couple key contenders. Going into the race, many expected the duel to be between last year’s winner, American Heather Gollnick, and Teamtbb member Tereza Macel. Both Macel and Gollnick posted strong swim times, and it looked early on that it would be a two-person battle for the title. Lovato came out of the water with a time of 29:17, and had her work cut out for her if she wanted to be a podium contender. Lovato posted a solid bike split, but was still minutes back from the lead pack. The winning leg of the women’s race proved to be the run, as Lovato posted by far the fastest run split of the group at 1:29:32 to take the win at 4:36:10. Gollnick followed at 4:41:36, with Macel claiming third at 4:46:20.
The men’s race featured many top South American triathletes. The swim started out with several men coming out of the water within seconds of each other. Once on the bike, Colucci shocked no one by turning in the fastest bike split of the group. Like the women’s race, it looked like the men’s race would come down to the fastest run split. Colucci proved to be the most in-shape athlete of the early season, posting a run time of 1:14:46 and establishing a new course record of 3:52:38 for the win. Argentina’s Daniel Fontana was the first out of the water and spent much of the day trying to keep pace with Colucci. Although he didn’t catch the Brazilian, he did cross the finish line in second at 3:54:26. Last year’s winner, Argentina’s Oscar Galindez, crossed in third at 3:57:53.
Ironman 70.3 Pucón
Pucón, Chile – Jan. 24, 2010
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Women
1. Amanda Lovato (USA) 4:36:10
2. Heather Gollnick (USA) 4:41:36
3. Tereza Macel (CAN) 4:46:20
4. Pamela Tastets (CHI) 4:55:32
5. Carla Stampfli (ITA) 4:57:07
Men
1. Reinaldo Colucci (BRA) 3:52:38
2. Daniel Fontana (ARG) 3:54:26
3. Oscar Galindez (ARG) 3:57:53
4. Santiago Ascenco (BRA) 4:02:27
5. Mario de Elias (ARG) 4:03:20
Check back for photos from the race.