Strong Pro Field Set For Ironman 70.3 Boulder

Held in the Boulder Reservoir within view of the surrounding mountains, Ironman 70.3 Boulder is one of the most popular 70.3 events among pro athletes, as it’s set in many of their training grounds. So every year, it tends to draw one of the deepest pro fields on the circuit, and this year is no different.

Men’s Race
The men’s field this year is highlighted by two-time defending champ Joe Gambles of Australia, who’s won both 70.3 Syracuse and Rev3 Quassy so far this season, and seems to be in top form. He has several athletes who can battle him for the crown, including Jordan Jones (USA), last year’s runner-up on this course; Ben Hoffman (USA), a multiple 70.3 and Ironman champ who was third on this course last year; and veteran short-course athlete Greg Bennett (AUS). Also look for Aussies Paul Matthews and Leon Griffin to be in contention for the podium, as well as former ITU athlete Kevin Collington (USA), who showed impressive early-season form at the Ironman 70.3 U.S. Pro Championship in St. George when he took the runner-up spot over a deep field. Another notable pro athlete is Drew Scott (son of six-time Ironman world champ Dave Scott), who as an amateur last season posted the fastest overall time—including pros—at Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake.

Women’s Race
In the women’s race, with defending champ Liz Blatchford absent from the start list, it’s up to Canadian and 70.3 specialist Angela Naeth to reclaim her 2011 Boulder crown. The strong cyclist has already had a string of finishes this season at 70.3 Eagleman, the Olympic-distance TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon and 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake. She’ll have tough competition from reigning 70.3 and Ironman world champion Leanda Cave (GBR), who was third on this course last year; former 70.3 world champ Melissa Hauschildt (AUS), who was runner-up here last year and has been battling injury since her world title; and recent Boulder transplant Rachel Joyce (GBR), who had an impressive sub-nine-hour victory at Ironman Texas in May. Also look for athletes Amy Marsh (USA) and Amanda Stevens (USA) to be podium contenders. We’re excited to see former Xterra world champ Kona podium finisher Julie Dibens (GBR) on the start list for Boulder—it’ll be her first road triathlon back since foot and knee surgery kept her out of triathlon for almost two years. Her first triathlon back was the Xterra Mountain Championship on July 20, where she finished seventh.

PHOTOS: 2013 Ironman 70.3 Boulder

Men
Joe Gambles (AUS)
Jordan Jones (USA)
Greg Bennett (AUS)
Ben Hoffman (USA)
Paul Ambrose (AUS)
Michael Lovato (USA)
Paul Matthews (AUS)
John Polson (AUS)
Derek Yorek (USA)
Andres Darricau (ARG)
James Seear (AUS)
Rob Duncan (USA)
Justin Daerr (USA)
Bryan Rhodes (NZL)
Timo Gronlund (FIN)
Gavin Anderson (USA)
Leon Griffin (AUS)
Dantley Young (USA)
Callum Millward (NZL)
Jimmy Archer (USA)
Jared Milam (USA)
Adam Bohach (USA)
Matthew Russell (USA)
Chris Leiferman (USA)
Mauro Cavanha (BRA)
Steven Zawaski (USA)
Joseph Lampe (AUS)
Mario De Elias (BRA)
Kevin Collington (USA)
Henry Hagenbuch (USA)
Kevin Taddonio (USA)
Joe Umphenour (USA)
Drew Scott (USA)
Mark Bowstead (NZL)

Women
Angela Naeth (CAN)
Leanda Cave (GBR)
Rachel Joyce (GBR)
Melissa Hauschildt (AUS)
Amy Marsh (USA)
Amanda Stevens (USA)
Julie Dibens (GBR)
Kat Baker (AUS)
Malaika Homo (USA)
Whitney Garcia (USA)
Kristyn Robinson (USA)
Uli Bromme (GER)
Christine Anderson (USA)
Danielle Kehoe (USA)
Trish Deim (USA)
Donna Phelan (USA)
Jeanni Seymour (RSA)
Lauren Capone (USA)
Holly Lawrence (GBR)
Jessica Chong (USA)
Kendra Lee (USA)

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