Syracuse.com - Aussies and a Swede dominate Ironman 70.3 Syracuse at Jamesville Beach Park

[HuntingNY-News]

A list of all local racers in the event will be available later today. As soon as they're provided we will post them on syracuse.com. Watch video

Cars and vans filled with competitors, fans and volunteers for the 4th annual Ironman 70.3 Syracuse began pulling into the huge, grassy parking lot at Jamesville Beach shortly after 4 a.m. this morning.

By 5:15, the lot was nearly half full, with a big line on vehicles coming from the north on Apulia Road, slowly pulling into the park's entrance. Shortly afterward,volunteer Christine Hodkinson, of Liverpool, was was among those standing at the entrance to the bike holding area, holding a black Sharpie marker and shouting loudly to passersby.

"Body marks? Anyone need body marks?" she asked as a steady stream of triathletes, many carrying water bottles, bicycle pumps and knapsacks, walked by her toward the bicycle holding area.

 

"Each athlete must have their race number written on their left arm and their age group on their left calf," she explained.

The half Ironman competition kicked off at 7 a.m. this morning at the Onondaga County park under sunny skies and a cool breeze. The temperatures, though, rose into the 80s and the humidity likewise increased throughout the morning, making it a trying time for many of the competitors.

More than 2,200 competitors from 40 different states and 20 different countries raced today -- the most ever in this four-year-old event, according to Ken Hammond, the race director. Most raced in the individual competition, while more than 200 raced in a relay version of the event, featuring two- or three-person teams.

The competition featured a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. The field featured 18 male and nine female professional triathletes competing for a total of $25,000 in prize money, with the top male and female competitors getting $3,000 each. Three Aussies and a Swede dominated.

The top male pro finisher was Joe Gambles, 28, a native Australian who won this event last year. His time was 4:02:58, about nine minutes slower than his winning 2012 time. Gambles was in second place coming out of the swim and caught fellow Aussie, Sam Douglas, of currently lives in Manhattan, about 10 miles into the bike race.

The top two male competitors, from left, Sam Douglas and winner Joe Gambles.David Figura | [email protected] 

"The head wind was tough on the bike. The first half of the run was OK. But after that it was just survival, which was probably the same for everyone out there today," Gamble said.

Douglas, 21, finished second at 4:09.28, followed by John Polson, another Australian, in third at 4:16.48. Both Gambles and Polson, 26, train in Boulder, Colo.

The top female pro was Lisa Norden, 28, who silver medaled in the triathlon at last year's London, Olympics. Norden was strong throughout the race and finished 6th overall, with an impressive time of 4:24:37.

Asked what it felt like finishing so high in an overall field that was 70 percent men, Norden, from Stockholm, Sweden, flashed a big smile.

Lisa Norden, the top female finisher.David Figura | [email protected] 

"It's quite enjoyable. It's my hobby, actually," she said.

The top female pros after Norden were Heather Leiggi, 38, of Bryn Marr, Pa. (4:47:42) and Molly Roohi, 32, of King George, Pa. (4:47.57).

The top local male competitor was Doug MacLean, 33, of Ithaca, who arrived at the finish line in 7th place, just behind Norten. He was competing in the pro division and ran 4:25:22. "You gotta defend the home (turf)," he said.

The top local female finisher the second year in a row was Kristen White, 41, of Manlius, who finished 44th overall in 5:01:09, winning the women's age 40-44 division.

"It was way hotter than last year. I was grabbing as much water as I could at every water stop. The volunteers were awesome," she said.

Speaking of volunteers, the Ironman Foundation donated $20,000 to local non-profit groups, who responded with supplying an impressive number of volunteers among the 1,100 helpers at Sunday's event, said Jim Szczygiel, who coordinated the group.

The winners of the age group divisions competed for plaques instead of cash. In addition, winners of all the divisions also qualified for the World Ironman 70.3 championships, set for this September in Las Vegas.

The majority, though, were there for bragging rights or simply seeking the satisfaction of finishing.

Ginny Robbins, 63, of Dewitt, said she entered at the urging of her friend and running buddy, Joan Arno, 61, of Manlius.

" I'm just going to do it real slow and easy," Robbins said. "Joan said, 'Ginny, we're not getting any younger. If we don't do it now -- then when?' "

Before the race, Vince Detata, 35, of New Jersey, reflected the sentiments of many interviewed -- particularly the first-timers.

"I'm not looking at my time. I just think it'd be a good thing if I could complete this thing," he said.

For final results, see Ironmanlive.com

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog