Location: Lawrence

2008 Ironman 70.3 Kansas

Ironman 70.3 KansasThe inaugural running of the Ironman 70.3 Kansas took place on June 14th at Clinton Lake near Lawrence, Kansas. The event featured 1100 athletes taking on a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run.

The racers started on Bloomington Beach and swam a rectangular lap before returning to the beach, running through a transition area, and hitting the roads on the southwestern side of the lake known to locals as “The Iron Cross,” a challenging course that offered long, winding, flat stretches matched with steep challenging hills. After completing the ride, the athletes returned to Bloomington Beach and ran a three-lap course on asphalt roads and trails throughout the park.

The overall winner was 23-year-old Torenzo Bezzone of New Zealand, who finished at 3:56.06, three minutes ahead of 2006 Ironman world champion Craig Alexander.

The women’s winner was Samantha McGlone of Colorado Springs, at 4:19.03.

An early-afternoon lightning storm forced race officials to cut short the event during the run, leaving hundreds of athletes short of the finish line, and canceling the awards ceremony. Approximately 40% of the field was not allowed to finish the race, leaving some bitterly-disappointed athletes.

Read more from the Lawrence Journal-World: Ironman Kansas set for takeoff, Ironman day has arrived, Ironman Kansas challenges top athletes, Athletes take the plunge, Iron to the core, Ironman deemed shining success

Additional coverage: Ironman.com, Triathlete Magazine, Chris Locke, CheeseburgerTriathlete, ironclm, Samantha, Who’d a thunk, Ironman Cowland, Joe Fox, EverymanTri, Mickey Woolard


About The Author

By Randy Rasa, editor/webmaster at Kansas Cyclist, the web's premier Kansas cycling information site, featuring authoritative guides to Kansas cycling clubs, bike shops, organized bike rides, touring, trails, and much more. [learn more]

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