Former Olympian Will Clarke and Eimear Mullan took home the titles at the IRONMAN 70.3 UK. The challenging competition at Lake Wimbleball was again a home race for the British.
Clarke clocked first
In the last few months Will Clarke has had a couple of strong races including three runner-up finishes at IRONMAN 70.3 events. The goal now was to win one, which wouldn't be easy for the former Olympian, who faced strong athletes like reigning IRONMAN 70.3 European Champion Ritchie Nicholls.
From the beginning Clarke moved to the front of the race. He led the in Lake Wimbleball with a group that included German Johann Ackermann and two other British athletes: Daniel Halksworth and Mark Threlfall. Threlfall made it onto the bike first, but Clarke was right behind. On the bike it Clark and Halksworth who opened up a gap on the other favorites. After 40 km the chase group, with defending champion Nicholls, was already 3:40 behind. As course record holder Nicholls reached T2, he was 7:25 behind Ackermann, who was five seconds ahead of Clarke.
Clarke looked comfortable after the tough bike and managed to run the half-marathon in 1:16:30, taking the win in 4:18:07. British Harry Springall passed Ackermann for the runner-up position, but was 5:24 behind. Nicholls also jumped onto the podium thanks to a strong run.
Mullan makes it three in a row
In the women's race Ireland's Eimear Mullan opened up a gap early in the bike after finishing the swim in third place 2:13 behind leading amateur athlete Claire Hann (29:03). On the bike Mullan began the hunt for her third consecutive title. When she came off the bike Mullan was clearly ahead of the British duo of Joanna Carrit (+ 5:40) and Katie Henderson (+6:21).
On the run Mullan powered away to take her third victory in 4:52:16. British amateur athlete Nikki Bartlett had a great final leg to take second in 5:02:53, 30 seconds ahead of Carrit.
Top 5 Women
1 Eimear Mullan (IRL) 4:52:16
2 Nikki Bartlett (GBR) 5:02:53
3 Joanna Carrit (GBR) 5:03:23
4 Vicky Gill (GBR) 5:07:26
5 Katie Henderson (GBR) 5:08:53
Top 5 Men
1 Will Clarke (GBR) 4:18:07
2 Harry Springall (GBR) 4:23:31
3 Ritchie Nicholls (GBR) 4:26:32
4 Rhys Davey (GBR) 4:30:12
5 Hector Guerra (ESP) 4:31:09