World Champions To Return To Geelong For Australias Ironman 70.3 Title

IMG confirmed today that Craig Alexander and Sam Warriner are set to defend their titles at the third edition of Ironman 70.3 Geelong, to be held at Eastern Beach on Sunday 7 February.

Comprising a 1.9km swim, 90.1km ride and 21.1km run, next weekend’s event doubles as the final race of the popular 2009/10 Australian Half Ironman Series. With race entries still open until Sunday 31 January, organisers are expecting a record field of 1,200 individual and 100 team entrants. 

Following their victories in Geelong last year, both Alexander and Warriner went on to win world titles. Alexander made history by becoming the first Australian to win the iconic Ironman World Championship in Hawaii twice, while Warriner took out the Gold Coast Aquathlon World Championship just two weeks before finising in the top ten at the Duathlon World Championship.

Since going back-to-back in Kona, Alexander has won a raft of international sports awards and his “off-field” commitments have escalated, however he’ll be lining up next weekend in great shape and as the hot favourite against a tough field which includes 2008 champion Leon Griffin; Australian Ironman champions Mitch Anderson, Tim Berkel and Jason Shortis; and rising stars Chris Dmitrieff, Matty White and Stephen Hackett.

In the women’s race, the focus will be on the re-match between Warriner and Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen. They were separated by just 18 seconds when Warriner crossed the line ahead of Steffen at last month’s Port of Tauranga Half Ironman; in 2009, Steffen finished third at Ironman Australia and fourth at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and many believe that she can break through for a win in Geelong. Other challengers include current Half Ironman Series leader Lisa Marangon, and long course specialists Nicole Ward, Ali Fitch, Amelia Pearson and Carrie Lester.

Entries close at 5pm AEST, Sunday 31 January. For further details and to enter online, visit www.ironmanoz703.com.