Griffin stuns the favorites

Sunday, 10 February 2008

After months of hype Geelong finally got it’s 70.3 race day, as over 1000 athletes descended on Sleepy Hollow to make it anything but it’s namesake. Ironman's 70.3 Geelong is an early season stop on a world tour. Race conditions were almost perfect as the athletes were let loose on the roads of Geelong. All the pre race money was on the big two in Luke Bell and Chris Legh in the men’s, while the women’s race was headlined by three of the best including Mirinda Carfrae, Rebekah Keat and Kate Major.

With the horn sounding the pros went about their work. The swim conditions were ideal and it was reflected in the times. David Dellow exited the swim in 23:49 and not long after him was a pack including Leon Griffin, Luke Bell and Luke McKenzie. Chris Legh was off the pace a little and was not having one of his best days. In the transition area pre race Legh arrived to find his back tyre flat but a quick visit by the mechanic put that right. In the women’s race Amelia Pearson and Mirinda Carfrae were the standouts and lead the field heading onto the bike.

The crowd that had gathered waited expectantly as the bike began to unfold. The usual suspects were at the head of affairs as Luke Bell started to show his authority by stretching the pack, which included Dellow and Conrick and was soon joined by Griffin.  Mirinda Carfrae had decided that it was time to move on and went off the front solo in an attempt to break up the race and build a lead.  This thought must have had some telepathic reach as Leon Griffin decided the same thing.  Griffin took on the race and rode strongly and soon had a 40 second gap.

The first big casualty of the day was Chris Legh who punctured the same wheel he had fixed before the race. To his credit he fixed his flat and chased on but by the time he got going again the Griffin express was in full flight.

The second big casualty was Luke McKenzie. He cracked halfway through the bike to withdraw. A disconsolate McKenzie said post race it just wasn’t his day. Looking ahead to Ironman Australia Mckenzie decided to save his legs and hit the showers early. Time will tell if he made the right decision.

The final cut in the men’s race was Luke Bell. After a strong swim and first lap on the bike the previous week’s training had caught up with the Victorian and he faded. He backed off the pace and kept in contact with the second group no doubt thinking about Ironman New Zealand in three weeks time. While all this was happening both Leon Griffin and 'uber biker' Mitch Anderson were riding themselves into winning positions.

Mirinda Carfrae was heading up a talented field and making them all work hard to catch her as she kept building her lead. The 70.3 World Champion was racing exactly how a World Champion should, with authority. And with her confidence clearly growing Carfrae entered the transition area ahead of Keat and Major. Carfrae, who does not enjoy the higher profile of her pursuers, was racing strong and looking unbeatable.

The run was coming down to a race in two in the men’s with Mitch Anderson challenging the lead set by Griffin. The time gaps coming back to race HQ had Griffin up by a 90 seconds. And that was the gap that remained after nearly four hours of hard racing Griffin emphatically came down the finish chute to a very vocal crowd and more importantly, an Ironman 70.3 title. Anderson came in 90 seconds down with Dellow rounding out the podium.

The women’s race was over early with Carfrae tearing up the run course to cruise in with over four minutes up her sleeve. This result was not unlike her win in Clearwater last season. Left in her wake were Rebekah Keat and Kate Major, who must be wondering what they would have to do to beat her when they next race.

Once again the IMG crew put on another fantastic race and once again our fearless predictions proved to be foolhardy ones as we went hopelessly wrong. But that’s why we love the sport ... and why we're back to the whiteboard for Ironman New Zealand!!

Some of the more astonishing feats and memorable grabs from the weekend:

• Luke Bell stopping mid bike leg to adjust his seat, after putting his entire bike together the day before. As he said at pre-race Carbo Night, "Do as I say, not as I do!"
• Mitch Anderson’s views on fashion, suggesting that the only people getting anything out of compression socks are the manufacturers
• Jimmy Noutsis - if triathlon had a President, he’d be it
• Mark Komarnycki who raced with half a sea urchin in his foot ... now that's grit for you!
• Sam Hume - a very impressive 10th overall, as an age grouper
• The ‘O’Neill Six’. Six members of the one family racing together. The family toast bill must be enormous!

The first edition of Ironman 70.3 Geelong was a brilliant day out and promises to become Australia’s premier race. To see how the action unfolded, take a look at our photos from the day.