Ireland’s Kevin Thornton overcame a puncture during the 90 kilometre bike leg to claim 3rd at Ironman 70.3 Dublin.
In excess of 10,000 spectators turned out to cheer home 2500 triathletes over the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run.
The men’s race was won by Frenchman Denis Chevrot who emerged from the swim portion of the race, based in Dun Laoghaire, in a time of 28:05. Chevrot went on to post the second fastest bike split of the day, clocking 2:13:52 before completing the half marathon run in a time of 1:14:48.
Chevrots winning time of 4:01:35 gave him a comfortable margin over second place finisher, Markus Thomschke of Germany who completed the course in a time of 4:06:18. Galway native, Thornton was targeting a top 5 finish so was delighted to make the podium with a finish time of 4:08:34.
“I got on the toes of Fraser Cartmell (Scottish Professional) in the swim but once on the bike I pushed on and was in the lead until I got a puncture just before Dunboyne.” Thornton told Triathlon Ireland after the race.
“The support out there was amazing and I managed to change my tire and get back on my bike and come into T2 in 3rd and then just brought it home on the run.”
Waterford professional, Robbie Wade, living in San Antonio finished 4th in a time of 4:12:21.
The women’s race was won by Susie Cheetham from Great Britain in a time of 4:27:09. Cheetham took charge of the race during the bike leg and also posted the fastest women’s run with a 1:23:00 half marathon split.
Samantha Warriner from New Zealand finished 2nd in a time of 4:34:39 with Sonja Tajsich of Germany 3rd in a time of4:38:21.
The leading Irish female was Aine Donegan in 7th place (4:53:00) followed by Ireland’s Middle Distance National Champion, Derval Devaney, 39 seconds behind in 8th place.
The Ironman 70.3 triathlon is one of 200 events sanctioned by Triathlon Ireland and is the first Ironman event to take place in Dublin.