Long, Chura Capture Challenge Puerto Varas
U.S. stars Sam Long and Haley Chura won the inaugural Challenge Puerto Varas in Chile today.
Men
A week after his season opening win at CLASH Endurance Miami, Long moved into the lead on the bike and held on against a race-best run by fellow U.S. star Matt Hanson. After the bike, Long had a 5-minute lead on top pursuers Hanson, Taccone, Brent McMahon, Reinaldo Colucci, Nicolas Saez, Fernando Toldi and Jason Pohl. Hanson made a brave charge with a 1:10:42 run split, but Long countered with a 1:12:23 half marathon to finish in 3:48:48 with a 3:56 margin over Hanson and 6:54 over third place finisher Luciano Taccone of Argentina.
Women
Taking her first win in three years –at Ironman 70.3 Bariloche – Haley Chura of the U.S. finished the swim with a 3-minute lead over Macarena Salazar of Chile and Romina Palacio of Argentina. More to the eventual point, six and a half minutes over pre-race favorite Laura Siddall of Great Britain. After a sizzling fast bike ride, Siddall sliced her deficit to just one minute. Due to a similarly quick transition, Siddall chopped another 45 seconds off Chura’s lead. And so the duo began the run just 15 seconds apart. Once on the run, Chura regained her momentum and increased her lead over the first mile. Chura then gradually drew away with a 1:23:35 run split that was 1:48 faster than Siddall. Chura finished in 4:30:29 with a 1:59 margin over Siddall and 13:15 over third-place finisher Romina Palacio of Argentina.
Challenge Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas, Chile
March 20, 2022
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.
Men
1. Sam Long (USA) TOT 3:48:48
2. Matt Hanson (USA) TOT 3:52:44
3. Luciano Taccone (ARG) TOT 3:54:42
4. Reinaldo Colucci (BRA) TOT 3:57:15
5. Brent McMahon (CAN) TOT 3:57:29
Women
1. Haley Chura (USA) TOT 4:30:29
2. Laura Siddall (GBR) TOT 4:32:28
3. Romina Palacio (ARG) TOT 4:43:44
4. Macarena Salazar (CHL) TOT 5:01:24
