Naeth gets second at Ironman 70.3 Branson

By all accounts, the inaugural K-Swiss Ironman 70.3 Branson provided quite a challenge, due in large part to the tough bike course that was peppered with many climbs.

Prince George’s Angela Naeth got another second place finish (others at Timberman 70.3, Boulder 70.3, Buffalo Springs 70.3) at yesterday’s Ironman 70.3 Branson.

Naeth’s top bike of 2:36:06, closed the gap on American Kelly Williamson’s lead to just 23 seconds, but Williamson ran the top women’s half marathon of 1:21:47 to easily clinch the win in 4:25:47. Naeth’s 4:33:47 finish positioned her ahead of Australia’s Pip Taylor in third (4:41:57).

Hoffman, this year’s Ironman Lake Placid Champion, utilized yesterday’s race in Branson, Missouri as part of his preparation for Kona and it appears that his training is going well.

American Brian Fleischmann led out of the water (23:46), then Britain’s Tom Lowe pounded out the fastest bike (2:12:15) to take the race lead heading onto the run. Not too far behind, Hoffman ran 1:17:34 (vs Lowe’s 1:21:35) to take the win in 4:02:53. Lowe held on for second (4:05:38), Fleischmann finished third (4:08:25), and Orillia’s Brent Poulsen finished sixth (4:15:14).

Top 5 Women

1. Kelly Williamson (USA)  4:25:47

2. Angela Naeth (CAN)  4:33:47

3. Pip Taylor (AUS)  4:41:57

4. Nina Kraft (GER)  4:42:41

5. Marisa Asplund (USA)  4:59:16

Top 6 Men

1. Ben Hoffman (USA)  4:02:53

2. Tom Lowe (GBR)  4:05:38

3. Brian Fleischmann (USA)  4:08:25

4. Michael Lovato (USA)  4:11:04

5. James Cotter (USA)  4:14:36

6. Brent Poulsen (CAN)  4:15:14

Canadian Age Group Winners

MacDonald, Carol  1/1/1   61/W60-64   43:01    3:36:19    2:41:47    7:10:00

McGonigal, Louise 1/1/1   67/W65-69   44:56    3:17:37    3:04:45    7:14:55

Watts, Dave   1/1/1   72/M70+               44:43    3:24:27    3:13:25    7:32:05