Ironman China Preview

The third annual Ironman China and Ironman China 70.3 is all set to go this Sunday March 14^th at Haikou, Hainan.

With the possible exception of the women’s 70.3 race, where Australia’s Amanda Balding will be back to defend her title, there will be new champions in all events.

Not back to defend their 2009 titles are Rasmus Henning (8:53:20) – who set a new bike course record of 4.29, Charlotte Paul (9:48:14) – who had the fastest marathon, and Chris McCormack – the men’s 70.3 champion who will race in the full ironman event on Sunday.

Keep an eye out for the Canucks. Fiona Whitby will duke it out with Belinda Granger and Balding – last year’s champion, in the 70.3 event. Meanwhile, Miranda Alldritt, Janelle Morrison, and Mathieu O’Halloran of Team TBB, will race the Ironman distance.

Live coverage will be available on www.ironman.com

Here is the professional start list for all events:

Ironman China

Women

Miranda Alldritt (CAN)

Janelle Morrison (CAN)

Heidi Jesberger (GER)

Nicole Leder (GER)

Maki Nishiuchi (JPN)

Heather Gollnick (USA)

Amy Marsh (USA)

Amy Simonetta (USA)

Jocelyn Wong (USA)

Men

Mathieu O’Halloran (CAN)

Justin Granger (AUS)

Chris McCormack (AUS)

Chris McDonald (AUS)

Luke McKenzie (AUS)

Mike Schifferle (CHE)

Rudolf Cogan (CZE)

Jens Groenbek (DNK)

Eneko Elosegui (ESP)

Alejandro Santamaria (ESP)

Markus Fachbach (GER)

Lothar Leder (GER)

Jozsef Major (HUN)

Hiroyuki Nishiuchi (JPN)

Shingo Tani (JPN)

Ryan DeCook (USA)

Brandon Marsh (USA)

Ironman 70.3 China

Women

Fiona Whitby (CAN)

Amanda Balding (AUS)

Belinda Granger (AUS)

Men

Markus Ressler (AUT)

Raimo Raudsepp (EST)

Erich Felbabel (HKG)

Hayato Kawahara (JPN)

Fredrik Croneborg (SWE)