A few days back it already became clear that there would be no swimming at Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga and so today the athletes started the 90-kilometer bike ride on a time trial basis. Fastest athletes of the day: Sam Long and Grace Alexander.
So with that, Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga was won by two Americans. Long immediately recorded the fastest bike time with 1:56:50, although Jackson Laundry remained (virtually) close with a time of 1:56:54. The following athletes were facing a two or more minutes deficit already. That Long then manages to run a 1:10:21 in the half marathon allowed him to win the race relatively easily in a time of 3:08:08. Matt McElroy (3:11:57) and Jason West (3:12:48), who both ran a 1:08, eventually finished second and third.
Alexander also immediately recorded the fastest bike time (2:16:51), although Adele Likin was only 24 seconds behind. Jess Smith (+1:16) and Jodie Stimpson (+1:58) then followed in third and fourth. During the run, however, Alexander quickly managed to increase her lead significantly, eventually reaching three minutes at the finish.
Alexander won the race in 3:46:46. American Jess Smith was second in 3:49:48 and Carolyn Olsen was third in 3:50:46.
