Andy Potts and Heather Jackson win Ironman 70.3 California

Andy Potts defended his Ironman 70.3 California title (his fifth) today at Oceanside. To no one’s surprise Potts led the swim (20:47), but surrendered the lead during the 90 km bike to Germany’s Andi Boecherer (2:34:41  – top bike split). Trailing Boecherer by 3:31 at the conclusion of the ride, Potts ran past him with a 1:10:31 (second best of the day behind Canada’s Brent McMahon) to hold on to his title with a 3:49:45 clocking.

Fellow American Jesse Thomas ran 1:10:35 to come in just 10 seconds behind for second, and Boecherer held on for third (3:51:56). Victoria’s McMahon claimed sixth position (3:53:54).

Radka Vodickova (CZE) led all women out of the water (22:17). Once on the bike, as she often does, American Amy Marsh wrestled control of the race with the top ride of 2:27:53. However, a group of four women including Kelowna’s Heather Wurtele, did not let her get too far away. At the end of the ride, Wurtele only trailed by 1:30. Marsh needed much more of a lead. American Heather Jackson ran 1:17:32 to charge past Marsh and Wurtele for the win in 4:13:48.

Wurtele ran a solid 1:19:50 to secure second (4:16:11), and two-time reigning XTERRA World Champion Lesley Paterson ran the top split of 1:16:21 for third (4:17:46). Victoria’s Melanie McQuaid finished 13^th (4:33:34) in her title defense.

Top 10 Pro Men

1 03:49:45 1 Potts, Andy Colorado Springs CO USA MPRO

2 03:49:55 00:00:10 10 Thomas, Jesse Bend OR USA MPRO

3 03:51:56 00:02:11 87 Boecherer, Andi Freiburg GER MPRO

4 03:52:09 00:02:24 53 Schildkne, Ronnie Samstagern ZH SWI MPRO

5 03:52:32 00:02:47 11 Marsh, Brandon Austin TX USA MPRO

6 03:53:54 00:04:09 32 McMahon, Brent Victoria BC CAN MPRO

7 03:54:04 00:04:19 29 Jones, Jordan Golden CO USA MPRO

8 03:55:30 00:05:45 3 Van Lierde, Frederik Menen BEL MPRO

9 03:55:39 00:05:54 7 McKenzie, Luke Sunshine Beach QL AUS MPRO

10 03:55:43 00:05:58 4 Odonnell, Timothy Boulder CO USA MPRO

Top 10 Pro Women

1 04:13:48 56 Jackson, Heather Bend OR USA WPRO

2 04:16:11 00:02:24 58 Wurtele, Heather Kelowna BC CAN WPRO

3 04:17:46 00:03:59 62 Paterson, Lesley San Diego CA USA WPRO

4 04:18:41 00:04:54 60 Corbin, Linsey Missoula MT USA WPRO

5 04:19:44 00:05:57 59 Marsh, Amy Austin TX USA WPRO

6 04:20:04 00:06:17 67 Pedersen, Camilla Esbjerg DNK WPRO

7 04:21:12 00:07:25 61 Joyce, Rachel South Cave GBR WPRO

8 04:25:43 00:11:55 57 Carfrae, Mirinda Boulder CO USA WPRO

9 04:25:45 00:11:58 66 Vodickova, Radka Jablonec Nad Nisou CZE WPRO

10 04:30:37 00:16:50 78 Ferreira, Amber Concord NH USA WPRO

Here is a fun report from Trevor Wurtele who finished 15th (3:59:50).