Kiwis Have Another Solid Showing in US

 New Zealand was again on the podium in long-course racing, Callum Millward taking 3rd place at Ironman 70.3 Syracuse (New York) on Sunday.

 Following his dead-heat win at IM 70.3 Boise last weekend, Millward was a minute down out of the water behind the lead pack which featured fellow kiwi Graham O'Grady. Australian Paul Ambrose lead the chase to catch O'Grady, Estonia's Marko Albert, and Pete Jacobs (AUS). He posted a blistering 2:09:22 bike split, taking the lead and entering transition over three minutes ahead of the newly formed chase pack of Millward, O'Grady and Joe Gambles (USA) who entered T2 together.

The race was set to be decided on the run. Millward and Gambles set about chasing down Ambrose, but O'Grady was unable to hold the pace and eventually dropped off to finish 6th. Gambles set about running down Ambrose and did so with a 1:14:27 half marathon. Ambrose hung of second, and Millward's 1:18:20 half marathon was enough to earn him third place in a quality field.

In the women's race New Zealand's Julia Grant finished 5th in a quality field, adding to her 2nd place at IM 70.3 Hawaii and a 4th at IM 70.3 Boise. In completing her third race in four weeks, Julia exited the water well down on swim specialist Jodie Swallow (UK) who exited the water in 24:08, and over 2mins clear of the next swimmer.

Julia's 2:34:02 bike moved her up into 5th place heading into the run, while Angela Naeth's (CAN) impressive 2:21:55 bike split saw her catch and overtake Swallow. The main placings would not change over the run, with Naeth finishing first in 4:16:27, followed by Swallow (4:19:09), and Nikki Butterfield rounding out the womens' podium in 4:24:52.

Results

Men

1. Joe Gambles (AUS) 3:53:51
2. Paul Ambrose (AUS) 3:54:48
3. Callum Millward (NZL) 3:57:42
4. Pete Jacobs (AUS) 4:01:10
5. Jozsef Major (HUN) 4:05:18
6. Graham O’Grady (NZL) 4:06:42

Women

1. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:16:27
2. Jodie Swallow (GBR) 4:19:09
3. Nikki Butterfield (AUS) 4:24:52
4. Margaret Shapiro (USA) 4:26:53
5. Julia Grant (NZL) 4:37:48