Former 70.3 World Champion Craig Alexander took a very narrow 2 second victory over Chris Lieto at the Ironman 70.3 Boise this afternoon. In the women's race Magali Tisseyre crossed the line more than 8 minutes ahead of runner-up Linsey Corbin.
A scheduled afternoon start in Boise, Idaho allowed athletes to sleep in a bit longer on race day than what they are used to. But when the gun went off at 2pm, none of that mattered anymore.
The men
The early leader among the men was Boise resident Kevin Everett who exited the Lucky Peak Reservoir in a time of 25:28. Hot on his heals though were Brian Lavelle, Craig Alexander and Chris Lieto.
Lieto had a monster bike split time of 2:04:27 and entered T2 several minutes up on his closest pursuers Ben Hoffman and Joe Gambles. Alexander was next in transition over 5:30 behind Lieto as he headed out onto the run.
It would take the fastest run of the day for Alexander to run past Gambles, Hoffman and Lieto, and Alexander did just that. His run split of 1:13:44 allowed him to cross the line in first and 2 seconds up on Lieto, after an incredible sprint finish. Spectators who were able to watch the amazing finish chute sprint and subsequent collapse of the 2 warriors were in awe and called it one of the most amazing finishes they ever witnessed. Gambles rounded out the podium and Hoffman held on to fourth.
The women
Brooke Davison was first out of the water in the women's race and had quite a lead on her competitors as they were heading out on the bikes.
The day though belonged to Magali Tisseyre who cranked out a fantastic 2:16:28 bike split and entered the second transition well ahead of Linsey Corbin and Samantha McGlone. Tisseyre then ran the fastest Half marathon among the women and crossed the line first in 4:12:29. Corbin was next across the line in 4:20:58 and Sam McGlone's finish time of 4:25:10 gave her third place. Early swim leader Davison finished fourth.
"It was the perfect day. This year, with my new coach and team mates, I have learned how to bring all three sports together on race day," said Tisseyre to slowtwitch. "I was happy to share this wonderful experience with my team mate Linsey Corbin, who also had a great comeback from injury."
"I am excited to be back after an 8 week hiatus due to a hamstring injury," added Corbin. "Sure the weather was a bit nutty, but the fun crowds in downtown made it worth it. Congrats to my teammate Mags on a world-class performance. It is great to be back!"
Ironman 70.3 Boise
Boise, ID / June 13
Top 10 men
1. Craig Alexander (AUS) 3:51:46
2. Chris Lieto (USA) 3:51:48
3. Joe Gambles (AUS) 3:56:24
4. Ben Hoffman (USA) 3:56:32
5. Justin Hurd (USA) 3:57:29
6. Brian Lavelle (USA) 3:58:23
7. Jamie Whyte (NZL) 4:02:58
8. Nicholas Thompson (USA) 4:03:52
9. Michael Simpson (CAN) 4:04:28
10. Christopher Bagg (USA) 4:05:54
Top 10 women
1. Magali Tisseyre (CAN) 4:12:29
2. Linsey Corbin (USA) 4:20:58
3. Sam McGlone (CAN) 4:25:10
4. Brooke Davison (USA) 4:26:46
5. Melissa Vandewater (AUS) 4:32:34
6. Janelle Morrison (CAN) 4:35:08
7. Annie Warner (USA) 4:37:45
8. Angela Axmann (GER) 4:38:22
9. Molly Hummel (USA) 4:39:19
10. Emma Garrad (USA) 4:40:42
