Rachel Joyce and Liz Blatchford achieved outstanding podium finishes at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The race was won by Australia’s Miranda Carfrae in a new course record.
Defending Champion, Leanda Cave, made a strong start in the swim but it was Joyce who made the decisive move on the bike, regularly swapping the lead with Mededith Kessler (USA).
At the end of the 112mile bike leg Britain’s Joyce was in the lead, Blatchford was third, Jodie Swallow was fifth and Cave seventh. Joyce held the lead until Carfrae sped past en route to a stunning 2hours 50min marathon split and a winning time of 8:52:14.
Joyce was five minutes behind in 8:57:28 and Blatchford would have also finished inside 9 hours had she not had a four-minute time penalty for littering.
Joyce said: "I gave everything and when you do that, you can't ask for any more."
Leanda Cave battled to 13th place overall (12th Professional athlete) following a season that has been blighted by injury. Jodie Swallow was unfortunately unable to finish, getting over-hydrated on the run and needing medical attention.
Age-Group athlete, Cat Faux, was 10th fastest overall and the winner of the 25-29 world title. The medical student recorded a time of 9:15:16.
Alison Rowatt from Edinburgh was second in the 30-34 Age-Group with a time of 9:44:37 and Tracy Cook was also second in the 40-44 Age-Group (9:46:33). Penny Gardiner was 4th (45-49) in 10:18:38.
The men’s race was won by Frederik Van Lierde of Belgium in a time of 8:12:29. Britain’s top finisher was Paul Amey. The British record holder recorded 8:39:20 for 18th place and Dan Hawksworth was 31st in 8:49:33.
Celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, completed the course in 14:04:48.
Pro Results
Women
Men
