Brownlee and Gentle Win 2018 Beijing International Triathlon

Jonny Brownlee from Great Britain and Ashleigh Gentle from Australia took first place honors in the men and women’s pro division, at the 2018 Beijing International Triathlon. Under clear blue skies, Olympians Brownlee and Gentle competed amongst the race’s largest pro field ever, 30 professional athletes, including 13 Olympians.

“I was thrilled to win today, my first win of the season,” said 2018 Beijing International Triathlon Champion Jonny Brownlee. “The race was very challenging, I have never competed in a race with so many ups and downs, it was a fight until the very last 500 meters when I finally overcame Kristian and Henri at the bottom of the stairs. I also really enjoyed getting to do some sightseeing and enjoy the local culture before the race.”

A prestigious field of the world’s top professional triathletes including: 2016 Rio Olympic Gold Medalist Alistair Brownlee (GBR); 2016 Rio Olympic Silver Medalist Jonny Brownlee(GBR); 2016 Rio Olympic Bronze Medalist Henri Schoeman (RSA); Olympian Barbara Riveros (CHL); Olympian Lisa Norden (SWE); Olympian Ben Kanute (USA); Olympian Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR); Olympian Paula Findlay (CAN); Olympian Radka Vodickova (CZE); Cameron Dye (USA); Zhou Fang (CHN); Eric Lagerstrom (USA); and more all competed in the Olympic distance race for $100,000 in prize money. A total of 1,500 professional and amateur athletes from 36 countries participated in the seventh annual race, on Sunday, September 23, in the Fengtai District of Beijing.

“I am thrilled to have won today, under amazingly clear blue skies here in Beijing,” said 2018 Beijing International Triathlon Champion Ashleigh Gentle. “I wasn’t surprised I came out of the water about one minute behind Lucy Hall, she is such a strong swimmer, but happy I was able to take the lead at the beginning of the run and hold it to the finish. This was my third time racing in this race and my second win, I really enjoy this course and the chance to explore the region.”

The race took place in Fengtai Garden Expo, Changxiandian County and Wangzuo County, within the Fengtai District of Beijing. The Olympic distance race featured a 1.5 km swim through Garden Expo Lake; a challenging 40 km bike race through the villages of Fengtai and up Qian Ling Mountain, the highest peak in Southwest Beijing; and a final 10 km run through the lush gardens and scenic trails of the Garden Expo Park, including a 480-step stair climb. A sprint distance race took place on Saturday, September 22, bringing the total number of race participants to more than 2,000 as the popularity of triathlon continues to grow in China.

Top Finishers:
First Place:
Jonny Brownlee, GBR, 1:51:37
Ashleigh Gentle, AUS, 2:05:55

Second Place:
Kristian Blummenfelt, (NOR), 1:51:46
Non Stanford, GBR, 2:07:52

Third Place:
Henri Schoeman, RSA, 1:51:58
Lucy Hall, GBR, 2:09:12