Miami wins for Reed and Peterson
Matty Reed repeated his title at the 2009 Miami International Triathlon in a new record time of 1:47:22 and narrowly held off Andy Potts. Chris Lieto checked out his short course speed and rounded out the podium.
Under beautiful blue skies and 74 degree temperatures in Miami, 1,500 athletes from 28 countries and 42 States started the swim. Andy Potts led all athletes out of the water followed closely by Matty Reed. Potts was first out of T1 but Reed took the lead a few minutes later. Soon after though Chris Lieto moved to the front on the bike and he was first back into T2 with a 30 second lead. Reed though wasn't going to be denied and charged ahead on the run. Potts pushed it very hard and in the end though had to settle for second place, 2 seconds behind Reed.
"I am happy with today and it felt good to be back racing," Reed said after the event. "I felt okay all day, never great but I was happy with my effort and was happy that I could push through my asthma on the run and win. It was a good field today and hats off to my competitors."
The women's crown went to Jillian Peterson in a time of 2:00:21.
Sara McLarty led all women out of the water and had a minute lead on Jasmine Oeinck, Christine Jeffrey and Joanna Zeiger. After the bike the order was McLarty, Oeinck and Zeiger and Peterson in striking distance. Peterson ran past Zeiger, Oeinck and McLarty for the win. Oeinck held on to second but her effort in the 85 degree temps almost caused her to pass out at the finish line. Zeiger who like Reed had some Asthma issues, ran past McLarty for the final podium spot.
"I actually went into it having some breathing issues all week with asthma. I was not sure Friday if I could race. Decided to give it a go. Turns out all week my inhaler had been faulty," said Zeiger.
2009 Miami International Triathlon
Miami, FL ; March 15, 2009
1.5k swim / 40k bike / 10k run
Top 10 men
1. Matty Reed (USA) 1:47:22 $5,000
2. Andy Potts (USA) 1:47:24 $3,000
3. Chris Lieto (USA) 1:48:21 $2,000
4. Andrew Yoder (USA) 1:49:06 $1,250
5. Brian Fleischmann (USA) 1:50:32 $750
6. Joe Umphenour (USA) 1:50:35 $500
7. Oscar Galindez (BRA) 1:51:22
8. Fraser Cartmell (GBR) 1:52:16
9. Arturo Garza (MEX) 1:53:58
10. Greg Remaly (USA) 1:55:16
Top 6 women
1. Jillian Peterson (USA) 2:00:21 $5,000
2. Jasmine Oenick (USA) 2:00:48 $3,000
3. Joanna Zeiger (USA) 2:02:19 $2,000
4. Sara McLarty (USA) 2:03:16 $1,250
5. Michelle Leblanc (USA) 2:04:42 $750
6. Christine Jeffrey (CAN) 2:06:31 $500