After last weekend’s Ironman California race in Sacramento was cancelled due to a “cyclone bomb” storm, Oceanside gets ready to host a 70.3 race this Saturday. Ironman Oceanside is expecting over 2,500 athletes from 36 different countries, including a strong pro field that will compete for a $30,000 prize purse. The first Oceanside event took place in 2000, making it one of the oldest Ironman events in the United States.
The women’s pro race promises to showcase two of the sport’s premier runners in South Africa’s Jeanni Metzler and Great Britain’s Emma Pallant-Browne, who is fresh off a win at the LA Triathlon last weekend. Metzler ran her way to a silver medal at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George. Other women in field who could contend for the win include American Heather Jackson, Australia’s Mirinda Carfrae and Canadian Paula Findlay, who is just getting back to racing after being sidelined by an injury since August.
The men’s race should also be a close race as American Ben Kanute takes on countrymen Ben Hoffman and Justin Metzler, with Australian Sam Appleton also likely to be part of the mix. Dane Miki Taagholt, who just missed the podium at the 70.3 worlds in St. George, could also be a factor. Others to keep an eye on include Americans Jason West and Eric Lagerstrom, along with South Africa’s Bradley Weiss.
You can see the full pro list for Saturday’s race here.
There won’t be live coverage of the race, but the Athlete Tracker will provide live timing from the race.
