Calgary wins for Doe, Carfrae
Kieran Doe's 2:12:11 bike split helped propel him to win the 2010 Viterra Calgary 70.3. Mirinda Carfrae was in great position all day long and ran a 1:20:15 to take the women's event.
The men
Brian Fleischmann led Kyle Leto, Jon Bird, Kieran Doe and Paul Matthews in a tight bunch out of the water.
Doe looked to be in good form and pushed the pace on the bike. His 2:12:11 bike split allowed the Kiwi to return to T2 with a 3 minute lead over Matthews, 3:40 on Scott Curry and more than 4 minutes ahead of Fleischmann.
Fleischmann ran a super fast pace during the first 10k of the run and gained serious time on Doe, but Doe found another gear during the second half of the run and started to solidify his lead. His 1:20:12 gave him the victory in a total time of 3:58:45 and Fleischmann held on to second place. Matthews earned the final podium position. Fastest run split of the day though belonged to Grant Burwash who managed a 1:15:54.
Doe had started his North American campaign with a second place at Vineman 70.3 and after a couple somewhat disappointing performances last year, the Kiwi really seems to have found a groove.
"I think the second at Vineman and win at Calgary came at just the right time in my career, it has given me confidence and belief in myself as an athlete again.," said Doe. "Winning this was a big bonus as I have been training through these 70.3 races in order to peak for IM Canada. The Calgary course requires strength which I have, so this helped me to push clear and take my first 70.3 title. I will remember this race not only for the win but the people of Calgary making us feel so welcome."
The women
Tenille Renee Hoogland's superb swim helped her get out of the water 2:20 ahead of Mirinda Carfrae and Heather Wurtele.
Once on the bike, Wurtele made a hard effort to get away from Carfrae and chase down Hoogland. Her 2:28:04 bike split was tops among the female Pros and allowed the lanky Canadian to reach T2 in first position. Hoogland and Carfrae reached the bike-run transition almost 3 minutes later. For Hoogland that would prove to be quite an obstacle, but Carfrae's run has been superb and all eyes were on the 2009 Ironman Hawaii runner-up as she set off in pursuit of Wurtele.
Carfrae did not disappoint and ran the half marathon in 1:20:15, a time only beaten by 6 male Pros and over 5:30 faster than Wurtele. But Wurtele had a great day and held on to second place while Linsey Corbin overcame a slow swim with a strong bike and solid run to finish third.
"Really happy with another win – last race before my Kona prep really ramps up, think I am in a good position fitness wise at this point of the year," said Carfrae to slowtwitch. "Looking forward to the next 10 weeks with everything geared towards the big one."
Viterra Ironman 70.3 Calgary
Calgary, Canada / August 1, 2010
1.2m swim / 56m bike / 13.1m run
Top men
1. Kieran Doe (NZL) 3:58:45
2. Brian Fleischmann (USA) 4:02:14
3. Paul Matthews (AUS) 4:03:41
4. Jamie Whyte (NZL) 4:04:43
5. Kirk Nelson (USA) 4:05:08
6. Kyle Leto (USA) 4:06:15
7. Scott Curry (CAN) 4:07:16
8. Grant Burwash (CAN) 4:08:20
9. Trevor Wurtele (CAN) 4:09:43
10. Jon Bird (CAN) 4:10:49
Top women
1. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 4:21:32
2. Heather Wurtele (CAN) 4:24:45
3. Linsey Corbin (USA) 4:30:09
4. Tenille Renee Hoogland (CAN) 4:31:09
5. Lauren Harrison (USA) 4:44:32
6. Mackenzie Madison (USA) 4:46:08
7. Ayesha Rollinson (CAN) 4:49:06
8. Erin O'Hara (NZL) 4:53:03
9. Emma Garrard (USA) 4:56:08
10. Michelle Milot (CAN) 4:56:38 * AG W30-34
