Ironman Boulder 70.3 Results 2011

Joe Gambles beats an impressive field of pro men and tops the Ironman Boulder 70.3 results 2011.

Ironman 70.3 Boulder takes place at the Boulder Reservoir and just by taking a look at the highly competitive pro start list for men and women it's apparent that it's a favorite destination for many of them.

There were several top triathletes who were entered in this race earlier, but have withdrawn.

Ben Hoffman comes off a big race just two weeks ago in Lake Placid and it would have left him little recovery time from one race to the next.

Melissa Rollison also withdrew and she was coming off a win in the Vineman.

PRO MENPotts, Andy Cartmell, Fraser Umphenour, Joe Rhodes, Bryan Ambrose, Paul Gambles, Joe Millward, Callum Anderson, Gavin Jones, Jordan Lampret, Freddy Tissink, Raynard Middaugh, Josiah Milam, Jared Seng, Brad Nelson, Kirk Elliot, Lewis Russell, Matthew Jessop, Brandon Delsaut, Trevor Graves, Philip Hackett, Stephen Vondracek, Jesse Wade, Robert Zyemtsev, Viktor

In this race there are many at least 8 men who are capable of winning today on their best effort.

However it really looks like Andy Potts will be tough as he is in great form and comes off of a victory in the Vineman 70.3

Paul Ambrose might also do well as he has a win this year in the Racine 70.3 and a second place finish in the Rhode Island 70.3

Joe Gambles, Fraser Carmell, Bryan Rhodes, and Raynard Tissink are all capable of challenging for top spot in this race.

THE PRO WOMENWilliamson, Kelly Gregory, Caroline Naeth, Angela Sym, Christie Lovato, Amanda Garcia, Whitney Bromme, Uli Saab, Talita Harrison, Lauren Chong, Jessica McDonald, Marilyn Van Der Merwe, Natasha

Kelly Williamson appears to be in top form and it will take a special effort by someone to beat her today.

Kelly has a win already this year in the Buffalo Springs 70.3

The swim is a one-loop course in the Boulder Reservoir and the water temperatures are expected to be around the 70 degree mark which is pretty comfortable.

The Bike is also two-loops and has a bit of everything with some fast flat sections, some rollers, and a good climb which the athletes get to do twice.

The run is quite unique as it takes place mainly on dirt and gravel roads and it is also two loops.

There is very little shade and this could become a problem as the temperatures are predicted to be near 90 degrees.

THE RACE IS ON!

It is Joe Gambles who asserts himself in the swim and leaves the swim/bike transition with the lead.

Joe might just surprise a few people and is flying a bit under the radar today with all the top triathletes in the race today who are coming off impressive wins in other races this year.

THE TOP FIVE MEN IN THE SWIMGambles, Joe 00:24:13 Cartmell, Fraser 00:24:00 Rhodes, Bryan 00:24:04 Ambrose, Paul 00:24:06 Tissink, Raynard 00:25:33

For the women it is Kelly Williamson who leaves the first transition with the lead.Williamson, Kelly 00:26:12Naeth, Angela 00:28:32 Gregory, Caroline 00:28:27 Sym, Christie 00:28:41 Lovato, Amanda 00:28:45

THE BIKE

Joe Gambles had a great start to the race and maintains his lead at the bike/run transition.

However the heat could become a factor if he pushed to hard and Fraser Cartmell, Bryan Rhodes, and Paul Amborose are well within striking distance if Joe lets up at all out on the dusty country road.

TOP FIVE MEN AT THE BIKE/RUN TRANSITIONGambles, Joe 02:03:35 Cartmell, Fraser 02:03:48 Rhodes, Bryan 02:06:04 Ambrose, Paul 02:06:08 Tissink, Raynard 02:04:21

Wow! I don't think anyone saw this coming! Angela Naeth has a great bike split and has a huge gap on the rest of the women pros.

At this point it would take a huge meltdown by or a spectacular run by Kelly or Amanda to catch Angela.

TOP WOMEN AT THE BIKE/RUN TRANSITIONNaeth, Angela 02:14:23 Williamson, Kelly 02:23:03 Lovato, Amanda 02:23:02 Garcia, Whitney 02:22:22 McDonald, Marilyn 02:20:30

Joe Gambles hangs on to his lead and tops the Ironman Boulder 70.3 Results with a time of 03:45:35!

THE TOP FIVE PRO MEN

There were several surprises in this race. First of all Andy Potts was far off the pace and he has been racing well this year for the most part.

Viktor Zyemtsev seemed to have problems right from the swim so perhaps he is dealing with an injury. Gambles, Joe 00:24:13 02:03:35 01:15:50 03:45:35Tissink, Raynard 00:25:33 02:04:21 01:19:25 03:51:41Ambrose, Paul 00:24:06 02:06:08 01:20:53 03:53:01Umphenour, Joe 00:24:03 02:07:22 01:20:22 03:54:03Russell, Matthew 00:30:42 02:04:59 01:17:41 03:55:44

Raynard Tissink had a solid bike and run and moved up into second place.

What a great performance by Joe Gambles who was strong in all three events and had a spectacular run to top off his day.

Kelly Williamson just came flying after Angela Naeth out on the run course and just about caught her, but Angela was tough today and held on to the lead and wins Ironman Boulder 70.3.

Kelly is having a great year as she notches another podium finish and should be getting right up their in the World Championship points standings.Angela Naeth 00:28:32 02:14:23 01:25:11 04:10:31Kelly Williamson 00:26:12 02:23:03 01:21:10 04:12:42

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Scorching Performances By Gambles And Naeth At Ironman 70.3 Boulder

With temperatures reaching into the 90s, athletes had anything but easy conditions in today’s Ironman 70.3 Boulder, where fiery performances in both the men’s and women’s professional races made for a powerful show.

Written by: Holly Bennett

Defending men’s champion Andy Potts (USA) took a predictable early lead on the swim, exiting the water in 22:27, a minute and a half ahead of Fraser Cartmell (GBR) and a fast-following pack including Joe Umphenour (USA), Bryan Rhodes (USA) and Paul Ambrose (AUS). It was Cartmell and Trek/K-Swiss teammate Joe Gambles (AUS) who would fight to the front early in the bike leg, however, reaching T2 with a 2:18 lead on the rest of the men and running stride for stride through the transition area prior to swapping shoes and hitting the run course. Gambles was all business on the run, carving out a quick lead, his perfect running form and pace propelling him to an eventual course record (3:45:35) and more than a six-minute margin of victory over second place Raynard Tissink (RSA). Potts was forced to withdraw early in the run after difficulty on the bike hampered his usual leg speed.

“I felt good going in,” said Boulder resident Gambles, “But you never know with a field like that. I just had good running legs today, so I was lucky.”

Gambles posted the fastest bike and run splits of the day. Photo: Nick Salazar

In reaction to breaking Potts’ previous course record of 3:46:51, Gambles admitted, “I’m a bit of a stats person, so I know Potts went 3:46 last year. It was in the back of my mind.”

Gambles’ win today will certainly give him added confidence as he prepares for his Hawaii Ironman race debut in October. But the ever-humble Aussie is taking nothing for granted.

“I’m nervous. Excited. Apprehensive,” he said. “You’ve got to be careful with that one. It will chew you up and spit you out pretty easily, that race. You see some of the best guys go there in the shape of their lives and then walk home. It’s my first year, so I’m just going to enjoy the moment.”

In the women’s race, 2011 Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake and 2011 Ironman 70.3 San Juan champion Kelly Williamson (USA) was first out of the water, with a 2:15 lead over California’s Caroline Gregory (USA), in town for a taste of high altitude training. Next up was Canadian Angela Naeth (CAN), who quickly moved to the front of the field with her usual cycling dominance. Naeth’s lead into T2 was more than six minutes, and despite a hard-charging Williamson who managed to gain back two thirds of that time, Naeth claimed her first Ironman 70.3 victory with a final time of 4:10:31. Williamson earned second place in 4:12:42, and hometown favorite Amanda Lovato (USA) claimed third in 4:23:55.

Overcome by emotion at the finish, Naeth was obviously elated after being a 70.3 bridesmaid more than a dozen times.

“It’s my first! I’ve been trying for over three years to win one of these!” exclaimed the women’s champion.

In a nod to the locals lining the racecourse, a beaming third-place finisher Amanda Lovato said, “I love this race. It’s awesome having all of my friends out here. I must have heard, ‘Go Amanda!’ fifty million times. How awesome is that?”

Anna Scott Kube (Drew's mom), Drew Scott & Dave Scott (proud papa!). Photo: Holly Bennett

In the amateur ranks, 20-year-old Drew Scott – son of six-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott – placed second overall in a time of 4:05:53. Scott will also make his Kona racing debut this October, having qualified at the Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake. He shared the sentiment of men’s pro champion Gambles as he anticipated racing on the Big Island.

“I’m excited,” said the junior Scott, “and at the same time a little nervous to step up to the full distance. But I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a big race with so much history – I’m excited to give it a shot and see how it goes. Today’s race was a big step forward for me, especially on the run. I was able to run much better, so hopefully I’m starting to figure it out. I’ve definitely gotten some good pointers from my coach!”

Ironman 70.3 Boulder
Boulder, Colo. – Aug. 7, 2011
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile swim, 13.1-mile run

Men

Naeth was emotional at the finish line. Photo: Nick Salazar

1. Joe Gambles (AUS) 3:45:35
2. Raynard Tissink (RSA) 3:51:41
3. Paul Ambrose (AUS) 3:53:01
4. Joe Umphenour (USA) 3:54:03
5. Matthew Russell (USA) 3:55:44

Women

1. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:10:31
2. Kelly Williamson (USA) 4:12:42
3. Amanda Lovato (USA) 4:23:55
4. Whitney Garcia (USA) 4:26:10
5. Uli Bromme (GER) 4:27:16