Potts and Dibens win the inaugural Boulder 70.3

Great Britain’s Julie Dibens led from start to finish to take the Ironman 70.3 Boulder title today in Boulder, Colorado. Dibens swam 27:34 (4 seconds ahead of American Rebecca Witinok-Huber), biked a race best 2:12:53, then nursed a 5 minute lead right to the finish to win in 4:19:46. Prince George, B.C.’s Angela Naeth swam 31:26, biked 2:15:46, and ran a 1:32:49 half marathon to claim second place in 4:22:27. “Fun course. I need more hills on the bike. Swim is getting better,” said Naeth on Twitter. American Jessica Meyers was third (4:25:09).

The USA’s Andy Potts led out of the water (23:30), 1:12 better than the second best swim of Australia’s Stephen Hackett who passed Potts on the bike with a 2:03:14 split, but Potts reacquired the lead with a 1:16:44 run to win in 3:46:50. Bermuda’s Tyler Butterfield ran the best half marathon of the day (1:15:21) to finish second (3:49:18). Hackett ended up third (3:51:27).

Top 5 Women

1. Julie Dibens (GBR)  4:19:46

2. Angela Naeth (CAN)  4:22:27

3. Jessica Meyers (USA)  4:25:09

4. Uli Broome (USA)  4:26:58

5. Rebecca Witinok-Huber (USA)  4:30:37

Top 5 Men

1. Andy Potts (USA)  3:46:50

2. Tyler Butterfield (BMU)  3:49:18

3. Stephen Hackett (AUS)  3:51:27

4. Richie Cunningham (AUS)  3:54:11

5. Paul Ambrose (GBR)  3:54:12