The 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship moved to the Sunshine Coast of Australia earlier this month and a field of 75 professionals athletes competed for the $250,000 prize purse. The swim had the additional element of difficultly with large swells, but it didn't slow down blueseventy athlete Lauren Brandon (USA) who exited Mooloolaba beach leading all women in the high profile race. Brandon's 22:53 split led Holly Lawrence by 29 seconds with Radka Vodickova, Annabel Luxford, Leanda Cave, Daniela Ryf and more following closely behind.
Radka Vodickova & Leanda Cave lead the chase pack out of the water
In the men's race Australia’s Josh Amberger was first out of the water in very quick 21:56, but a large group containing most of the top contenders were 30 seconds back. A close battle emerged on the run with Tim Reed of Australia battling 2-time 70.3 World Champion Sebastian Kienle in a duel to the end. Reed finished in 3:44:13 with a 2 second margin on Kienle and 25 seconds on Ruedi Wild of Switzerland.
Great Britain's Tim Don was the top blueseventy athlete in 7th
In the women's race Holly Lawrence of Great Britain took a 3:46 lead after a women’s-best 2:19:28 bike split and then held off a charging 1:18:43 run by Melissa Hauschildt. Lawrence took the win in 4:09:12 with a 1:57 margin of victory over Hauschildt and 4:24 over 3rd-place Heather Wurtele. The Czech Republic's Radka Vodickova was the top blueseventy female in 9th.
