Mild spring temperatures led to fast times at Mile High Boulder.

Joe Gambles completed a rare four-peat at Ironman 70.3 Boulder and broke his own race record with a 3:42:13 time highlighted by a dominating 2:03:03 bike split. The win was well earned as Gambles had to fight off a fierce 1:11:49 run by 2006 ITU World Champion Tim Don. Jodie Swallow and Rachel Joyce dueled back and forth until Swallow, the 2010 Ironman 70.3 World Champion, found one more gear with three miles left on the run. Swallow’s 4:07:37 time was second only to Melissa Hauschildt’s race record 4:04:36 last year.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

With the Flatirons and blue skies as a backdrop, Rachel Joyce chases Jodie Swallow about Mile 4 of the run.

Christine and Owen Hammond share a pre-race kiss.

Leanda Cave smiles before the start of what would be a hard fought third place.

Greg Bennett photo bombs Rebekah Keat, who is amused by it all.

Coach Siri Lindley says you are only as old as you feel. She combines the pure unalloyed joy of a child mixed with the keen intelligence and hard earned wisdom of one of the greatest coaches in the world.

Chillin’ before the swim start.

The first age group men’s swim wave takes off.

After her 25:55 swim, Rachel Joyce was 1:55 behind Jodie Swallow – but made up the difference halfway through the bike leg.

Mandy McLane does her best Michael Jordan-tongue-hanging-out impersonation early on the bike leg.

Jodie Swallow finished the ride 5 seconds ahead of Rachel Joyce.

James Hadley at speed.

Rachel Joyce posted the women’s fastest bike split – 2:14:55.

Joe Gambles was Tasmanian Devil fast with a race-best 2:03:03 bike split.

Kevin Collington rode a 2:07:03 bike split on his way to 8th place.

Seven men worked together at a legal distance while chasing the flying wheels of Joe Gambles: James Seear, Richie Cunningham, Tim Don, Callum Millward, Paul Matthews and Greg Bennett.

Tim Don’s feet never seemed to touch the ground as he virtually flew to a 1:11:49 run split.

Greg Bennett., who finished second at this race last year, is still recovering from injury so after a chase pack ride, he started well but faded on the run. Ben Hoffman, on Bennett’s heels here, finished 6th.

James Seear, Richie Cunningham and Kevin Collington run in formation early in the run.

Grabbing a drink on the run.

Tim Don greets wife Kelly and daughter Matilda after the finish. It had been a scary week for the family as Matilda is recovering from a surgery for a brain cyst the Monday before the race.