Athletes at Altitude: Colorado Pro Women Wow

Carfrae Has Record Breaking Race

One of the hardest moments in triathlon last year was seeing defending IRONMAN World Champion Mirinda Carfrae have to stop her Kona race due to a back injury after being hit by a car on an easy pre-race week ride. The emotion seen in videos of Carfrae having to realize her fourth world title wouldn’t be so on that day in October last year was heartbreaking, to say the least.

However, anyone who knows “Rinny” or has seen her battle back in her races, probably could predict a monstrous IRONMAN comeback in Austria over the weekend where she not only shattered a course record, but she ran the second fastest marathon ever recorded by a female in an IRONMAN event. Not only that, but she was 13th overall on the day!

Thanks to her swim of 59:15, a bike of 4:47:38, and her magnificent run of 2:49:06, Carfrae finished in 8:41:17, breaking the course record held by IRONMAN great Linsey Corbin. All we can say is that Rinny looks to be on the hunt for a great Kona comeback and we can’t wait to watch her. Congrats, Rinny!

Salthouse is Super in Second

We are getting used to seeing Ellie Salthouse on the podium and we like it. After a stunning, sprint finish to take the win at 70.3 Boulder, Salthouse went to IRONMAN 70.3 Coeur d’Alene and showed that she is the real deal!

After turning in the second fastest swim, 26:30, it was all speed from there, which helped her capture second place behind winner Heather Jackson. In only her fifth 70.3 race ever, Salthouse continues to impress and improve.

She turned in a bike split of 2:31:10 and a run time of 1:25:49, the fifth fastest of the day, helping her to an overall time of 4: 27:44. It’s safe to say Salthouse is getting the hang of racing 70.3s after years of only racing ITU.

Colorado Springs native Kelly Williamson had a strong showing and finished ninth on the day in 4:40:57 in Coeur d’Alene. Williamson had a solid swim and bike, which she followed with her blazing fast run speed, turning in the second fastest run of the women’s race in 1:23:44.

Potts Owns Coeur d’Alene Course

It’s no surprise that Colorado Springs trainee Andy Potts returned to Coeur d’Alene after a superb IRONMAN win there last year. This year, Potts would now dominate the 70.3 distance with a solid win over a competitive field.

Potts would be in front of the race from the get-go thanks to his speedy swim of 23:27, a bike of 2:11:28, and a zippy run of 1:15:56, the fastest of the day, to lead him to victory in 3:54:45.

Australian Josh Amberger finished second. Not far back in third was the young Aussie, and Boulder trainee, Mark Bowstead, who grabbed the final podium spot thanks to his overall time of 3:57:16. Boulder sensation Ben Hoffman finished fourth in 4:01:24. Rounding out the top ten was Boulderite Robbie Wade who finished in 4:11:21. Congrats, guys!