Hoffman and Rollison win Ironman 70.3 Muncie

American Ben Hoffman exited Prairie Creek Reservoir in third (26:08), then rode the top split of the day (2:01:11) to take a generous lead of a little over four minutes onto the run. His 1:18:31 half marathon secured the overall race win (3:48:14) and the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Muncie title (for 31 years the race was formerly known as the Muncie Endurathlon). Fellow American Mike Caiazzo, posted the top run split (1:16:07), to move from eighth to second (3:53:12), and Great Britain’s Rich Allen claimed third (3:54:18). Orilla’s Brent Poulsen ran 1:18:29 to move from 17^th to ninth position (3:59:17).

On the women’s side, Great Britain’s Leanda Cave dominated early but fell apart during the run. Her top splits of 27:19 for the swim, and 2:14:34 for the bike gave her a hefty 4 and a half-minute lead over her closest rivals. Regardless, American Melissa Rollison ran her down (1:19:19) for the win in 4:08:48. Kelly Williamson did the same thanks to a 1:20:21 run to get second (4:12:19), and Cave held on for third (4:12:35). Ottawa’s Tenille Hoogland faded slightly during the run to finish seventh (4:24:30), and Victoria’s Melanie McQuaid took a break from the off-road world to close out the top ten women (4:43:57).

Top 10 Men

1 Hoffman, Ben  3:48:14

2 Caiazzo, Mike  3:53:12

3 Allen, Rich  3:54:18

4 Umphenour, Joe  3:55:12

5 Bretscher, Daniel  3:55:36

6 Abel, Torsten  3:56:40

7 McDaniel, Joe  3:57:08

8 McKenzie, Luke  3:57:47

9 Poulsen, Brent (CAN)  3:59:17

10 Krylov, Stanislav  3:59:55

Top 10 Women

1 Rollison, Melissa  4:08:48

2 Williamson, Kelly  4:12:19

3 Cave, Leanda  4:12:35

4 Shapiro, Margaret  4:18:20

5 Griesbauer, Dede  4:20:55

6 Meyers, Jessica  4:22:35

7 Hoogland, Tenille (CAN)  4:24:30

8 Sym, Christie  4:25:54

9 Oldfield, Madeleine  4:32:51

10 McQuaid, Melanie (CAN)  4:43:57