Ironman 70.3 World Championships Preview

Both defending champions are back to defend their titles this Saturday at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Germany’s Michael Raelert, decimated the field last year with a ridiculous 1:09:05 half marathon to set the new course record of 3:34:04. Can he do the same again this year? The men’s start list is stacked, including nine of last year’s top ten, along with Canada’s Brent Poulsen, and Jeff Symonds.

All five of last year’s top five women are back to make sure that Julie Dibens does not defend her title. Dibens was third at Kona, and second at the XTERRA World Championships, so a title defense would make a perfect end to her year. Dibens set the 3:59:33 course record last year. Angela Naeth, the number one ranked 70.3 woman, leads the Canadian contingent of Melanie McQuaid, Ayesha Rollinson, and Magali Tisseyre – third last year.

Ironman.com will have live text updates, pictures, athlete tracking and video coverage on race day.

Pro Men Start List

16 Allen Rich GBR

15 Amey Paul GBR

17 Amorelli Igor BRA

18 Antunes Guto BRA

11 Berkel Tim AUS

19 Bordine Karl USA

20 Cartmell Fraser GBR

7 Casadei Alberto ITA

21 Castillo Latorre Andres COL

6 Collington Kevin USA

22 Colucci Reinaldo BRA

23 Cotter James NZL

24 Csoke Balazs HUN

13 Cunningham Richie AUS

25 Djurback Jonas SWE

9 Fleischmann Brian USA

2 Fontana Daniel ITA

26 Francis Jemani AUS

5 Gambles Joe AUS

27 Gonzalez Bonet Leandro ARG

8 Griffin Leon AUS

28 Guillaume Romain FRA

29 Hackett Stephen AUS

30 Hodges Andrew USA

31 Kahn David USA

12 Kriat Maxim UKR

32 Kuttor Csaba HUN

14 Legh Christopher AUS

33 Leto Kyle USA

34 Macasieb Arland PHL

35 Masuda Daiki JPN

36 Munizaga Benjamin CHL

10 O’Donnell Timothy USA

37 Ospaly Filip CZE

38 Poulsen Brent CAN

1 Raelert Michael DEU

3 Reed Matty USA

39 Schokman Peter AUS

4 Sylvain Sudrie FRA

40 Symonds Jeff CAN

41 Thomas Jesse USA

42 Waninger Nick USA

43 White Tony USA

Pro Women Start List

55 Bennett Laura USA

64 Bromme Uli USA

65 Csomor Erika HUN

51 Dibens Julie GBR

52 Ellis Mary Beth USA

66 Evans Lianne USA

59 Gianinni Vanessa BRA

67 Harrison Lauren USA

68 Hofer Nicole CHE

69 Homo Malaika USA

70 Jackson Heather USA

56 Jones Michellie AUS

71 Leiggi Heather USA

72 Lewis Tamsin GBR

73 Lidbury Emma-Kate GBR

74 Lovato Amanda USA

62 McQuaid Melanie CAN

75 Meyers Jessica USA

76 Miramontes Marcela MEX

61 Naeth Angela CAN

77 Paterson Lesley GBR

78 Rollinson Ayesha CAN

79 Saab Talita BRA

80 Stampfli Carla ITA

54 Steffen Caroline CHE

57 Stevens Amanda USA

81 Swallow Jodie GBR

82 Tastets Pamela CHL

63 Taylor Pip AUS

58 Thuerig Karin CHE

53 Tisseyre Magali CAN

60 Warriner Samantha NZL

83 Zeiger Joanna USA