Andy Potts and Rachel McBride lived up to their pre-race hype with wins at IRONMAN 70.3 Calgary.
Potts toys with the field
Andy Potts' (USA) race-leading 20:49 swim saw him edge Brandon Marsh (USA) out of the water by 38 seconds. Branden Rakita (USA), Jon Polson (AUS), Martin Van Barneveld (NZL), Wil Clarke (GBR) and Jordan Rapp (USA) all exited Auburn Bay Lake 1:19 to 1:30 behind Potts.
Rapp worked hard during the point-to-point bike with Potts, Clarke and Marsh marking his move. Rapp was two-seconds ahead of Potts and a minute in front of Clarke and Marsh by the end of the ride.
On the run Clarke got to the lead in the opening half, but Potts was just a few seconds behind at the halfway point. Potts eventually moved to the front of the race to win in 3:43:43, while Clarke kept things close, finishing just 36 seconds behind. Marsh finished the podium off in 3:47:32.
McBride wins easily
Amy Marsh (USA) finished the swim in 24 minutes and had Lisa Mensink (CAN), Mandy McLAne (USA), Emma Kate Lidbury (USA) and Rachel McBride (CAN) following her into T1 with deficits ranging from three to 56 seconds.
Once on the bike McBride rode away from the field, coming off the bike with a five minute advantage over a chase pack containing Lidbury, Mensink, Mandy McLane (USA) and Marsh. The remainder of the women were well off the pace and likely out of contention for a podium placing.
Once the race hit the running trails surrounding Glenmore Park, McBride extended her lead. McLane ran through the field for second, but was no match for McBride, who won the race in convincing fashion in 4:07:19. Mensink completed the podium.
Top 5 Pro Men
1 Andy Potts USA 3:43:43
2 Will Clarke GCR 3:44:19
3 Brandon Marsh USA 3:47:32
4 Jordan Rapp USA 3:48:03
5 Grant Burwash CAN 3:54:25
Top 5 Pro Women
1 Rachel McBride CAN 4:07:19
2 Mandy McLane USA 4:16:12
3 Lisa Mensink CAN 4:17:47
4 Emma-Kate Lidbury USA 4:19:29
5 Amy Marsh USA 4:21:13