Home > Profiles

Getting ready for the showdown in Dubai

The men's and women's field has the potential for some very fast times and exciting racing.

Last year, Alistair Brownlee (GBR) kicked off his 2018 season with a win and a 3:35:30 finishing time at Ironman 70.3 Dubai. Brownlee used his 22:35 swim split, sub-two-hour bike and mind boggling 1:09:34 half marathon to take the overall win.

Alistair Brownlee ran a sub 1:10 half-marathon to win Ironman 70.3 Dubai in 2018. Photo: Talbot Cox

At the finish line, Brownlee said, “It did go over smoothly.” Having just returned to racing following a hip injury, the two-time Olympic champion was thankful to be racing. “I didn’t feel great on the swim and had a couple of bad patches on the bike, but on the run, I just felt great. I was in control and I actually really enjoyed the last 10-18K. I was just kind of soaking it in, enjoying the cheers. Obviously, it’s so fantastic to be back.”

Related: Alistair Brownlee takes Ironman 70.3 Dubai in blistering 3:35:30

In the women’s race, it was another blazing half marathon time of 1:14:11 from Anne Haug (GER) that would be the defining moment of the race and the race winning move. Britain’s Holly Lawrence spent most of the day in the lead, but Haug proved to have another gear in the run as Lawrence slipped to third. Fellow Brit, Sarah Lewis came second.

The 2019 edition of the race has the potential to be just as fast, if not more.

Related: Blummenfelt’s new 70.3 world best time

In the men’s race, Brownlee returns to defend his title and he’ll have to do it against Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR). Blummenfelt closed out the 2018 season with a world best time of 3:29:04 at the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship in Bahrain.

(UPDATE: At Ironman 70.3 Dubai Press Conference it was confirmed that Alistair Brownlee will not be competing.)

Kristian Blummenfelt wins Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship in a world best time – 3:29:04. Photo: @kiristianblu

The Bahrain Endurance 13 triathletes, Brownlee and Blummenfelt, will have to keep an eye on Adam Bowden (GBR). At the 70.3 Middle East Championship, Bowden finished behind the Norwegian sweep in 3:35:03.

Related: Bahrain Endurance 13 name their newest members

On the women’s side, it will be a showdown of last year’s podium – Haug, Lewis and Lawerence. Earlier this week, Cervelo announced their newest athlete signing – Anne Haug. With a new bike, Haug will hope she can stay in striking distance of Lawerence – a proven threat in the swim and bike.

Having spent most of the 2018 season out with a stress fracture, Lawerence returned to racing with a win in Bahrain at the 2018 70.3 Middle East Championship. With a few more months of training under her belt, the 2016 Ironman 70.3 world champion is a threat for the win in Dubai.

Lewis was also at the race in Bahrain and was oh-so-close to catching Lawerence at the line. The pair finished less than a minute apart from each other.

The race begins Friday, Feb. 1st at 7 AM GST (Jan. 31st 10 PM EST).