Icy Boise 70.3 theatrics
Despite protests from the pros, Ironman 70.3 Boise cut the bike leg to 15 miles (some folks reported 12 miles) due to near-freezing temperatures.
With the bike leg shortened quite a bit and the wind chill factor on the course in the mid-30s, several pro men including Matt Reed and Trevor Wurtele wore their wetsuits for the freezing bike segment.
In a photo finish in the men’s race, in bright sunshine, Callum Millward of New Zealand was at first declared the winner over the U.S.’s Matt Reed. But upon extensive deliberation, race officials declared that Millward and Reed tied.
After the matter was decided, both men accepted the decision with great sportsmanship.
"It's kind of fun to have two winners," Matt Reed wrote on the web. "What a race! As a professional you respect those you race. They make me a better athlete and push me to bring out my best. Negativity has no place in our men's first place party tonight. Thumbs up Callum."
Callum Millward responded on Twitter: "Official results- 1st equal with @boomboomreed at #Boise70.3. Great guy to race, hope we put on a good show!"
Reed had been charging fast on the run to overcome a 1 minute 54 seconds deficit after the bike – Reed’s race-best 1:10:39 run was 2:19 faster than Millward’s half marathon.
Timothy O’Donnell came back from a crash on the bike to finish 3rd 54 seconds back of the winner.
In the women’s race, Great Britain’s Jodie Swallow marked a return to form with a 2:23 margin of victory over Malaika Homo of the U.S. Swallow combined a 25:43 swim, 35:39 bike and 1:25:02 run to finish the abbreviated race in 2:29:28.
Homo fell back 1:27 on the swim and 22 seconds on the bike, then gained back 46 seconds on the run to finish in 2:31:51 with a 1:42 margin over 3rd place Nikki Butterfield, whose usually dominant bike was handcuffed by the weather and shortened mileage.
Photo via Twitter – source unknown
Ironman 70.3 Boise
Boise, Idaho
June 9, 2012
S 1.2 mi. / B 15 mi. / R.13,1 mi.
Preliminary Results
Men
1. Callum Millward (NZL) 2:13:23
2. Matt Reed (USA) 2:13:24
3. Timothy O’Donnell (USA) 2:14:17
4. Tim Reed (AUS) 2:15:41
5. Trevor Wurtele (CAN)
6. Kirk Nelson (USA) 2:16:35
7. Kevin Everett (USA) 2:16:52
8. Paul Matthews (AUS) 2:17:48
9. B.J. Christenson (USA) 2:18:01 * 30-34
10. Lewis Elliot (USA) 2:109:05
Women
1. Jodie Swallow (GBR) 2:29:28
2. Malaika Homo (USA) 2:31:51
3. Nikki Butterfield (AUS) 2:33:33
4. Julia Grant (NZL) 2:34:25
5. Linsey Corbin (USA) 2:35:40
6. Lisa Marangon (AUS) 2:36:51
7. Jennifer Tetrick (USA) 2:37:04
8. Christina Jackson (USA) 2:38:32 * F30-34
9. Rachel Challis (USA) 2:39:41
10. Elizabeth Lyles (USA) 2:41:27
