Australian Christian Kemp dominates run to win Ironman 70.3 Austin

Men’s race

Australian Christian Kemp has finished on top of the podium for the first time in 2014 in Austin, Texas. America’s Kevin Collington led Kemp out of the water by only 1 second, with fellow American Joe Umphenour only another three seconds back. The three quickly left transition before Collington and Kemp rode away from Umphenour, arriving to transition two alone with a 4:30 lead over a chase pack of Mexico’s Serran0 Francisco, Umphenour, Thomas Gerlach (USA), Chris Leiferman (USA) and Jeff Symonds (CAN).

Over the first half of the run Collington was pulling away from the Aussie Kemp, although by 7.5 miles Kemp took the lead and was never again challenged, taking the win in 3:53:35. Collington crossed in second (3:55:47) two and Serrano hung on to round out the podium.

Women’s race

South Africa’s Jeanni Seymour assumed the lead early in the day, coming out of the swim with American Sarah Cameto on her toes. The pair assumed a 30 second lead over Lesley Smith (USA) and Poland’s Ewa Komander, who would eventually join Seymour and Cameto in the lead around half way into the bike. Entering transition two together, Seymour and Smith started the run over four minutes ahead of a small chase pack of three.

Smith took control on the run holding a minute lead over Seymour half way into the run, with Sue huse  5:48 back. The order didn’t change and Lesley Smith took a commanding victory in a time of 4:29:46, with Jeanni Seymour finishing 2nd in 4:32:33 and Sue Huse holding on for 3rd in 4:33:53.