2,500 athletes descend on Sonoma County; first race under Ironman brand
More than 2,500 of the world’s finest athletes traversed the waters and back roads of Sonoma County on Sunday, July 10 in the 26th edition of the Ironman 70.3 Vineman triathlon.
The annual showcase of talent and endurance featured athletes from 18 countries and 42 states, and was the first running under new ownership following the sale of the Vineman brand to Ironman Triathlon last fall.
Beginning at dawn at Johnson’s Beach in Guerneville with a 1.2-mile swim, the race transitioned into a 56-mile bike segment through Sonoma County and finished with a 13.1-mile half-marathon ending at Windsor High School.
Billed as an elite showdown on the 70.3 circuit, the professional men’s race showcased arguably the best field ever assembled, with a list of top contenders that included several former Vineman and Ironman 70.3 world champions.
Competing professional athletes were vying for $50,000 in prize money, along with 50 age-group qualifying slots up for grabs to the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The event also included more than 2,000 amateur athletes testing mind and body, the last crossing the finish line late in the afternoon.
The pro men’s race did not disappoint, as Andy Potts of Hershey, Pennsylvannia emerged from a contentious pack of challengers that included former champions Terenzo Bozzone, Sam Appleton, Craig Alexander and Tim Reed with three miles left in the 13.1 half marathon to bag the top winner’s prize.
“It was the most exciting race I’ve seen at 70.3 Vineman – six guys all together on the run through mile eight,” veteran race announcer Dave Latourette said. “It was an incredible race from start to finish for those guys.”
In victory, Potts became the first ever repeat men’s Vineman 70.3 champion.
“It’s a distinct honor to be the first athlete to win twice especially when you look at the list of champions here,” Potts said. “I’m really fired up, that was a big win for me and I’m excited.”
Although Potts stopped short of ranking his Vineman victory, he expressed deep satisfaction with the triumph.
“I trained hard and really wanted this one, especially because there were so many great athletes in the race,” Potts said. “After a few bad races earlier in the year I wanted this to be a good one.”
Potts posted a winning time of 3:48.09, followed by Reed (3:48.46), Alexander (3:49.17), Sam Appleton (3:50.13) and Bozzone (3:51.47).
Holly Lawrence, a native of England based in Los Angeles, took the lead for good during the bike segment and was never challenged in powering to her first 70.3 Vineman title in 4:09.40, the second fasted women’s time ever recorded.
“I had a hard time shaking Lauren Brandon,” Lawrence said later, referring to the third place finisher. “After the Chalk Hill climb on the bike I managed to get a bit of distance on her and get some space between us.”
Rounding out the top five women were; Caroline Steffen (4:17.48), Brandon (4:22.57), Jennifer Spieldenner (4:22.59) and Emily Cocks (4:26.28).
