TJ Tollakson stormed to the win at the Subaru Ironman 70.3 Eagleman after a monster 2:03:41 bike split and finally broke a long long stretch without big wins. Mirinda Carfrae, who is quite used to the very top of the podium, crushed the competition on the run to take the women's title in 4:15:31.
The men
As usually John Kenny was first out of the water at the Eagleman but this time he had not as much of a lead as at some other event. Terenzo Bozzone, Stanislav Krylov, Matty Reed and TJ Tollakson were about 30 seconds behind the fast swimmer.
Tollakson's 2:03:41 split time on the bike was quite a monster show and only the Kiwi James Bowstead came even close to this crazy fast time with his 2:04:29 but he was still several minutes behind after his 29:25 swim. Terrenzo Bozzone was next in T2 with his 2:08:06 and now the race was on.
Tollakson though had a decent run in 1:22:28 and took the win in 3:54:39. Richie Cunningham ran 1:16:56 to take the second spot and Stanislav Krylov's 1:21:29 gave him third place.
"The high humidity (94% at race start) presented a bit of a challenge especially as the mercury continued to rise throughout the morning," said Tollakson to slowtwitch. "I didn't get a single time split on the course so I just put my head down and kept hammering."
The women
Amanda Stevens had a great swim and lead the women out of the water in 26:05. About 20 seconds later Tenille Hoogland emerged from the water in second position and Mirinda Carfrae was next in 28:52.
Hoogland pushed it very hard on the bike and her 2:20:24 split brought her back to the bike-run transition in first position. Samantha Warriner meanwhile had moved herself from 4th position after the swim to second place after the bike with an even faster 2:20:06. Mirinda Carfrae's 2:22:15 allowed the 2010 Ironman World Champion to start the run in third position several minutes down on Hoogland. Fastest time among the females though belonged to Tyler Stewart who had now moved herself into 5th position with a 2:19:23 split, right behind Amanda Stevens.
No other female and very few males would touch Carfrae's run of 1:21:39, and the speedy Aussie stormed to another title in 4:15:31. Stewart grabbed second place and Warriner held on to the final podium spot.
"I am so pleased to have backed up Quassy half's battle with the Dibmaster with a win here. After an awesome albeit busy off-season I am starting to feel like I am back on track with my Kona build up, " said Carfrae to slowtwitch.
Subaru Ironman 70.3 Eagleman
Cambridge, Maryland / June 12, 2011
1.2m swim / 56m bike / 13.1m run
Top men
1. TJ Tollakson (USA) 3:54:39
2. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:57:43
3. Stanislav Krylov (n/a) 3:58:13
4. Matty Reed (YSA) 3:59:42
5. James Bowstead (NZL) 4:00:27
6. Mike Caiazzo (USA) 4:00:30
7. James Cotter (NZL) 4:02:19
8. Matias Palavecino (?) 4:05:11 * AG M30-34
9. Kyle Pawlaczyk (USA) 4:06:13
10. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 4:07:32
Top women
1. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 4:15:31
2. Tyler Stewart (USA) 4:21:28
3. Samantha Warriner (NZL) 4:23:02
4. Tenille Hoogland (CAN) 4:23:38
5. Amanda Stevens (USA) 4:23:56
6. Kristin Andrews (USA) 4:32:10
7. Desiree Ficker (USA) 4:33:33
8. Annie Gervais (CAN) 4:33:43
9. Kristin White (USA) 4:36:57
10. Beth Shutt (USA) 4:38:11 * AG W30-34
