Heather Wurtele wins Ironman 70.3 Timberman

Kelowna’s Heather Wurtele finished the swim in third (26:41), then used her cycling talents to get to the front of the race with the top ride of 2:25:20. She ended with a 1:25:22 half marathon that was just enough to hold of the charge by fleet footed American Caitlin Snow for the Ironman 70.3 Timberman win (4:20:48) in Gilford, New Hampshire. Snow’s fastest run of 1:20:04 brought her to within 13 seconds of Wurtele for second (4:21:01), and fellow American Linsey Corbin too third (4:23:50). Canadians Christine Fletcher finished fifth (4:34:18), and Miranda Tomenson-Bharadwaj seventh (4:38:56).

Top 5 Women

1 Heather Wurtele CAN 4:20:48

2 Caitlin Snow USA 4:21:01

3 Linsey Corbin USA 4:23:50

4 Beth Walsh USA 4:31:32

5 Christine Fletcher CAN 4:34:18

7 Miranda Tomenson-Bharadwaj CAN 4:38:56

Australians Joe Gambles and Leon Griffin battled each other during the swim and bike, but when Gambles ramped up the effort in the run (top split of 1:13:31), he broke free of Griffin for the 3:48:30 victory. Griffin finished second (3:50:53), and American Kevin Collington snatched up third place (4:01:10). Frederic Bouchard of La Baie, Quebec, was the top Canadian male in 13^th (4:16:29).

Top 5 Men

1 Joe Gambles AUS 3:48:30

2 Leon Griffin AUS 3:50:53

3 Kevin Collington USA 4:01:10

4 James Bowstead NZL 4:04:17

5 David Kahn USA 4:05:36

13 Frederic Bouchard CAN 4:16:29