The American contingent came out in full force at Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz, but it was international talent that stole the spotlight. Australia’s Sam Appleton and Canada’s Tamara Jewett delivered commanding performances to claim victory in a race stacked with North American stars.
Men’s Race: Appleton Outlasts U.S. Favorites
The men’s field was loaded with American firepower, yet Appleton stamped his authority early and never looked back. Emerging from the Pacific in fifth, just eight seconds off swim leader Joshua Berles and right on the feet of Ben Kanute and Dylan Gillespie, Appleton positioned himself perfectly among the lead pack of eight athletes.
On the bike, the race quickly distilled into a select trio: Kanute, Appleton, and Jackson Laundry. Working together, the breakaway stretched their advantage to over ninety seconds by the halfway mark. By T2, they had added another minute, leaving the chasers – including Trevor Foley, Luke Jones, and Andy Krueger – scrambling at more than two minutes down.
The run became a war of attrition. Laundry was the first to crack, dropping off within the opening kilometers. Kanute held on longer but could not match Appleton’s relentless pace. By the halfway point, the Australian had carved out a decisive one-minute cushion – an advantage he carried all the way to the finish line.
Appleton claimed the win in 3:41:04, while Foley surged through the run to snatch second in 3:42:52. Kanute held strong for third in 3:43:06.
Women’s Race: Jewett Runs Down the Field
For Tamara Jewett, the race unfolded very differently. Out of the water, she trailed nearly three minutes behind swim leader Margarita Ryan, sitting in fifth. On the bike, the gap remained stubborn, with Lisa Becharas, Grace Alexander, and Jackie Hering forming the front group into T2. Jewett entered transition still in fifth, but crucially, she had trimmed the deficit to two minutes.
That’s when the Canadian’s trademark weapon came into play. On the run, Jewett’s stride cut through the field with clinical precision. Within ten kilometers, she had reeled in everyone except Hering – who soon became her next target. Once Jewett moved into the lead, there was no looking back.
Crossing the line in 4:10:54, Jewett secured a statement win. Hering followed in 4:12:43, while Alexander completed the podium in 4:16:33.