Raelert and Meyers win Ironman 70.3 Austin

Germany’s Michael Raelert and American Jessica Meyers took wins today at Ironman 70.3 Austin.

Raelert, a two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion (who missed out on defending his title this year due to injury), led the swim (24:06), lost the lead to Switzerland’s Ronnie Schildknecht who rode the top split of 2:05:53, but Raelert roared to the lead once again with the top run of the day (1:11:05) to take the win in 3:47:48. Schildknecht held on for second (3:49:48), and Great Britain’s Paul Amey ran 1:13:26 to claim third (3:52:36). Stephen Dyke, 49, of St. John’s, Newfoundland Stephen finished eleventh overall (4:13:59).

Meyers, a winner at Ironman 70.3 Branson on September 18, trailed out of the water in sixth position, stayed in contention during bike, and ran a second best 1:29:01 to earn her second straight win in 4:29:15. Fellow American Mandy McLane finished second in 4:34:40, and American age grouper (women 30-34) Christina Jackson raced to an impressive third place finish (4:35:03). Ottawa’s Tenille Hoogland posted the fastest swim (26:19) and bike (2:25:41), but did not finish the race.

Canadians Christopher Caswell (Men 45-49 – 4:46:10), Crystal Drummond (Women 40-44 – 5:04:20), Carolyn Silvey (Women 55-59 – 5:43:32) all won their age categories. Jacqueline Lewis (Women 45-49 – 5:10:38) took second, and Nancy Pauw (Women 50-54 – 5:54:55) finished fourth.

Men

1. Raelert, Michael 3:47:48

2. Schildknecht, Ronnie 3:49:48

3. Amey, Paul 3:52:36

4. Cigana, Massimo 3:56:26

5. Cunningham, Richie 3:56:59

6. Gomes, Pedro 4:01:53

7. Cartmell, Fraser 4:04:52

8. Ganter, Chris 4:06:30

9. Glauser, Grant 4:10:54

10. Barnett, Damon 4:12:51

11. Dyke, Stephen (CAN) 4:13:59

Women

1. Meyers, Jessica 4:29:15

2. McLane, Mandy 4:34:40

3. Jackson, Christina 4:35:03 *W30-34

4. Gregory, Caroline 4:38:28

5. Smith, Lesley 4:39:10

6. Haag, Kortney 4:40:00 *W30-34

7. Cooper-Scott, Haley 4:40:48

8. Paxton, Rachael 4:40:59

9. Peterson, Kristen 4:42:16

10. Luebke, Jennifer 4:43:40