Bennett, Kessler win Vineman 70.3

Joining Australian countryman Chris Legh as 40-year-old winners of Ironman 70.3 events today, Greg Bennett pushed ahead with a race-fastest bike then held on against the race-best run of Joe Gambles to win the Ironman 70.3 Vineman men’s crown by 25 seconds in a time of 3:45:49.

Bennett’s 4th-best 21:58 swim in the Russian River was within seconds of Clayton Fettell (21:50), Paul Matthews (21:54), Terenzo Bozzone (21:57) and Brandon Marsh (21:59) and – more important as it turned out — 35 seconds ahead of 70.3 maestro Joe Gambles.

Unlike Lance Armstrong’s famous book title, for Bennett this day was all about the bike as the Australian-born, U.S.-Aussie dual citizen smoked the field with a 2:06:57 split 12 seconds better than Matthews, and more than 2 minutes quicker than a group that included Gambles, Christian Kemp, Terenzo Bozzone, and Brandon Marsh.

Bennett and Matthews ran together in the lead until Bennett cruised away from Matthews about the 10 mile mark. At that stage, the only man making a serious charge was Gambles, who was on his way to a race-best 1:11:27 half marathon. Bennett, one of the savviest race tacticians, meted out his energy perfectly on his way to a 2nd-best 1:13:40 run that left him with a 25-seconds cushion at the line. Matthews hung on for 3rd, 1 minute and 41 seconds back of Gambles.

Bennett’s win adds to a string of stellar performances in 2012 which include wins at Rev3 Knoxville, Muncie 70.3, and Boulder Peak as well as strong 2nd place finishes to Craig Alexander at Eagleman 70.3 and to Lance Armstrong at Honu 70.3.

Topping a stellar women’s field that posted a record five sub-4:20 times, Meredith Kessler finished in 4:10:15 and dethroned defending champion Melissa Rollison by 50 seconds. Kessler’s win was thanks largely to her 24:01 swim which left Rollison in a 2:58 hole. After a virtual tie on the bike split, Rollison charged to the lead at Mile 9 of the run. But falling prey to gastrointestinal issues, she could not hold and Kessler counter attacked. After a tough-it-out 1:18:47 half marathon run that bettered Kessler’s defensive run by an insufficient 2:11, Rollison had to settle for runner-up.

Given the star-studded field, this win may be Kessler’s best performance in an excellent 2012 season which includes wins at Ironman Coeur d’Alene, Ironman St. George, Taupo 70.3 and Eagleman 70.3; a 2nd at Rev3 Portland, and a 3rd at Ironman 70.3 California.

Amy Marsh of Austin, Texas posted one of her best performances, combining a first pack 24:06 swim, a 2nd-fastest 2:21:22 bike and a 5th-best 1:23:44 run to hit the line in 3rd, 2:16 back of Rollison and ahead of a string of top ranked pros including Heather Jackson (4th in 4:15:07), Leanda Cave (5th in 4:17:42) and Rebekah Keat (5th in 4:20:23).

Ironman 70.3 Vineman
Healdsburg, California
July 15, 2012
S 1.2 mi. / B 56 mi. / R 13.1 mi.

Results

Men

1. Greg Bennett (USA) 3:45:49
2. Joe Gambles (AUS) 3:46:14
3. Paul Matthews (AUS) 3:47:55
4. Christian Kemp (USA) 3:50:46
5. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 3:51:03
6. Brandon Marsh (USA) 3:51:09
7. Ollie Whistler (AUS) 4:03:19
8. Mauro Cavanha (BRA) 4:05:42
9. Jonathan Shearon (USA) 4:05:46
10. Eduardo Sturla (ARG) 4:06:20
11. Clayton Fettell (AUS) 4:06:39

Women

1. Meredith Kessler (USA) 4:10:15
2. Melissa Rollison (AUS) 4:11:05
3. Amy Marsh (USA) 4:13:21
4. Heather Jackson (USA) 4:15:07
5. Leanda Cave (GBR) 4:17:42
6. Rebekah Keat (AUS) 4:20:23
7. Joanna lawn (NZL) 4:23:16
8. Rachel Challis (USA) 4:25:01
9. Valentina Carvallo (CHL) 4:26:40
10. Jennifer Tetrick (USA) 4:27:29