Greg Bennett and Kelly Williamson prevailed at a Muncie Ironman 70.3 which was shortened to Olympic distance because race officials feared record high temperatures would make the classic half Ironman dangerous.
Starting early, a stellar pro field finished 14 degrees short of a predicted record high of 102 degrees Fahrenheit and a 112 heat index due to high humidity.
When the racing was done, Bennett’s race-fastest 33:36 run him brought him to the line in 2:00:24 with a 1:13 margin of victory over Australian Joshua Amberger and 3 minutes over 3rd place Ben Hoffman of the U.S.
The most impressive performance of the day was Kelly Williamson’s 2:10:53 finish and 4:02 margin of victory over runner-up Jodie Swallow and 4:40 over 3rd place Mirinda Carfrae. Her victory was sealed by a women’s best run that was just 2:12 slower than the fastest man.
The Men
Amberger led the swim with a 19:49 split that gave him a 1:01 advantage over Bennett and Christian Kemp, 1:06 over James Duff, 1:08 over Daniel Bretscher, 1:11 over Hoffman, and 1:24 over Rich Allen.
Bennett’s men’s race-fastest bike split of 1:03:13 pared Amberger’s lead to 1 second at T2, with Kemp, whose 1:03:14 bike split was 2nd-best, started the run one second later in 3rd.
Bennett shut the door on his rivals with a race-best 33:36 run that was 1:14 faster than Amberger, 1:25 better than Hoffman, 1:47 better than Bretscher, and 4:12 better than Duff.
Bennett’s win continues a 2012 hot streak that includes a win at Rev 3 Knoxville and runner-up finishes at Eagleman 70.3 to Craig Alexander and at Honu 70.3 to Lance Armstrong.
Amberger’s runner-up finish follows a recent 2nd place at Klagenfurt 5i50, a win at Singapore 70.3 and a 4th at St. Anthony’s.
The Women
Williamson fought 2-time World Champion Jodie Swallow in a tight duel until the Austin, Texas star broke it open on the run.
Swallow’s 21:27 led out the swim by 10 seconds over Williamson, followed over a minute later by chasers that included Missy Kuck (22:46), Jennifer Leiser (22:53), Mirinda Carfrae (23:24), Joanna Lawn (23:30), Ashley Clifford (23:35), and Rebekah Keat 24:04).
Williamson’s 3rd-fastest 1:10:34 bike split gained back 2 seconds on Swallow, while Missy Kuck’s race-fastest 1:10:20 split left her 3rd and one minute back at T2. Rebekah Keat’s 2nd-best 1:10:24 bike split brought her back from 8th on the swim to 4th at T2. Carfrae and Lawn matched 23 and a half minute swims and 1:11:13 and 1:11:14 bike splits to start the run 5th and 6th, 2:50 back of the leader.
Williamson than seized the race by the throat on the run, closing with a race-best 35:48 run split that was 3:54 better than Swallow and 1:45 better than Carfrae.
Williamson’s win adds to her excellent 2012 season that includes wins at San Juan 70.3 and Rev3 Knoxville and a 2nd to Angela Naeth at Panama 70.3. Swallow continues her comeback from an injury-plagued 2011, adding this runner-up finish to a 2nd place at Syracuse 70.3.
Swallow’s win at the cold-shortened Boise 70.3 makes her the top performer at hot and cold weather-shortened races so far this year.
Ironman 70.3 Muncie
Muncie, Indiana
July 7, 2012
S 1.5 k / B 40 l / R 10k
Results
Men
1. Greg Bennett (USA) 2:00:24
2. Joshua Amberger (AUS) 2:01:37
3. Ben Hoffman (USA) 2:03:24
4. Daniel Bretscher (USA) 2:03:43
5. Christian Kemp (USA) 2:04:31
6. James Duff (USA) 2:06:17
7. Rich Allen (USA) 2:06:35
8. Ollie Whistler (AUS) 2:06:52
9. Tim Berkel (AUS) 2:07:23
10. Robert Wade (USA) 2:08:42
Women
1. Kelly Williamson (USA) 2:10:53
2. Jodie Swallow (GBR) 2:14:55
3. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 2:15:33
4. Joanna lawn (NZL) 2:18:33
5. Rebekah Keat (AUS) 2:19:37
6. Missy Kuck (USA) 2:21:02
7. Ashley Clifford (USA) 2:23:21
8. Julia Grant (NZL) 2:26:16
9. Sarah Piampiano (USA) 2:26:29
