Jodie Swallow makes history at Ironman 70.3 South Africa
It was a triumphant start to 2016 for Jodie Swallow as she successfully defended her Ironman 70.3 South Africa title. Her sixth win in as many starts, the British world champion triathlete also set a new course record despite a tough swim and rainy conditions.
Susie Cheetham looked like she was set to join Jodie on the podium, but a very heavy crash on the bike meant that she had to tough it out just to finish, eventually in 8th. In the men’s field Will Clarke finished 6th, whilst Mark Threlfall was 8th.
Swallow’s trademark aggressive swim took her to the lead from gunstart, exiting the water with more than three minutes’ lead. On the bike, she grew her lead to 10 minutes. Swallow continued to fly through the run, gapping her competitors by almost 19 minutes as she broke the tape in 4 hours, 23 minutes, and 28 seconds.
“I had some shitty luck last year with over training and then the crash [before 70.3 Worlds], but in life comparisons I am blessed to be healthy and happy so it is time to get over it and move forward,” Swallow said. “So happy to retain my sixth title here, a race thoroughly suited to me. But ‘the second hardest 70.3′ in the world is never easy.”
| Pos | Men | Women |
| 1st | Matt Trautman (RSA) 4:01:52 | Jodie Swallow (GB) 4:23:28 |
| 2nd | Kyle Buckingham (RSA) 4:09:10 | Astrid Stienen (GER) 4:42:00 |
| 3rd | James Cunnama (RSA) 4:09:11 | Annah Watkinson (RSA) 4:43:34 |
| 4th | Stuart Marais (RSA) 4:10:22 | Maria Czesnik (POL) 4:55:34 |
| 5th | Konstantin Bachor (GER) 4:13:54 | Lina-Kristin Schink (GER) 4:57:58 |
| 6th | Michael Davidson (RSA) 4:16:00 | Claire Horner (RSA) 5:02:27 |
| 7th | Will Clarke (GB) 4:16:52 | Lucie Zelenkova (CZE) 5:10:33 |
| 8th | Mark Threlfall (GB) 4:21:11 | Susie Cheetham (GB) 5:21:46 |
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