Armstrong and Corbin win Ironman 70.3 Hawaii

American’s Lance Armstrong and Linsey Corbin won Ironman 70.3 Hawaii today, both setting new course records under extremely windy and hot conditions.

Armstrong started off the day just behind (23:22) swim leader Tim Marr (23:16), and Greg Bennett (23:17). Armstrong then wasted no time in hammering out the top ride of the day (2:01:46) to take a 3:29 lead over Chris Lieto (USA) and a 6:50 lead over Greg Bennett (USA) onto the run. Bennett steadily made up time on Armstrong to make things interesting but Armstrong matched Bennett’s pace late, and actually slowed down in the final kilometres of the half marathon to enjoy the crowds, and finished with a 1:22:29 run to win in 3:50:55 – breaking Chris McCormack’s 3:57:18 course record from 2007. Bennett ran a race best 1:18:21 to finish second in 3:53:41, and Lieto, who looked to be still struggling with his Achilles injury, closed with a 1:33:41 run to take third (4:05:55).

Top 5 Men

1. Lance Armstrong 3:50:55 USA
2. Greg Bennett 3:53:41 USA 2:46+
3. Chris Lieto 4:05:55 USA 15:00+
4. Maik Twelsiek 4:06:16 GER 15:22+
5. Guy Crawford 4:06:59 AUS 16:05+

American Hillary Biscay led the swim (25:21), with Corbin trailing her by 1:50. However, like Armstrong, Corbin took control of the race with a leading 2:25:02 ride and added a 1:29:58 run to take the win in 4:26:09 – besting Michellie Jones 2005 record of 4:28:16. New Zealand’s Julia Grant held her position off of the bike to claim second (4:30:17). Fifth heading out of T2, American Beth Walsh moved past Bree Wee (USA), and Melanie McQuaid (CAN) to capture third (4:31:47). Victoria’s McQuaid finished fifth (4:38:57) after a 1:39:17 run.

Top 5 Women

1. Linsey Corbin 4:26:09 USA
2. Julia Grant 4:30:17 NZL 4:08+
3. Beth Walsh 4:31:47 USA 5:38+
4. Bree Wee 4:32:45 USA 6:36+

5. Melanie McQuaid 4:38:57 CAN 12:48+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfkhEJkxxXI