Rohto Ironman 70.3 California
- Welcome to Rohto Ironman 70.3 California
Set in beautiful Oceanside, Rohto Ironman 70.3 California has become the unofficial North American kickoff event for Ironman racing - featuring not only a huge field, but possibly one of the most competitive ones we'll see this year outside the Ironman or Ironman 70.3 World Championships. (Pictured: Ford Ironman World Champion Mirinda Carfrae winning the 2010 event.)
“The birthplace of triathlon was Southern California,” says race director Roch Frey. “This is the hometown of triathlon. Then, because we have access to the Camp Pendleton base, we have the access to a challenging course, too. It is North America’s season kick off.”
What is now the Ford Ironman World Championship began in 1978 thanks to the efforts of Judy and Commander John Collins, who also happened to be participants in the very first triathlon, which took place on Mission Bay in San Diego on Wednesday, September 25, 1974. That event was directed and conceived by Jack Johnstone and Don Shanahan and sponsored by the San Diego Track Club.
Which is why it is all-too-appropriate that Rhoto Ironman 70.3 California has become one of the most prestigious 70.3 races on the circuit and will boast more than 2,400 participants on Saturday. (46 took part in the first tri held in Mission Bay – yes, we’ve come a long way.)
It’s not just the history that makes this event so unique, according to Frey. In addition to the classic bike course that heads through the challenging hills in Camp Pendleton, which is the major west coast base of the Marine Corps, the run course for the race is every bit as exciting.
More: ironman.com - A stacked pro field:
Only one of the athletes wearing the first 13 race numbers for Saturday's Rohto Ironman 70.3 California hasn't won an Ironman - and the guy who hasn't is an Olympian and former champion of the event. (Matty Reed, pictured, is wearing race #1, and finished sixth in his Ironman debut last November in Arizona.) The women's two-time defending champion, Mirinda Carfrae, is back - and also happens to be the current Ford Ironman World Champion. Stacked? Seems like an appropriate word to describe the field set to hit the water in Oceanside on Saturday morning.
Looking through the list of men set to take on the beautiful California course this weekend makes it abundantly apparent that we’re in for an exciting, fast and competitive race. Reed finished second last year, and won the year before. The year before that Andy Potts took the title. Rasmus Henning finished third last year – he arrives hungry after cramps took him out of contention in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago, so you can be sure he’ll be motivated on Saturday. Factor in a likely excited Jordan Rapp, who is just a year off a near-death experience and is coming back in style and the drama just mounts. (And those are just a few of the names - look below for the complete pro list.)
While Carfrae has become almost an instant race favorite now in virtually every Ironman or 70.3 race she enters (even if Chrissie Wellington is in the field), the Australian is coming off a tough race at Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand earlier this month where she had to deal with copious quantities of rain and a challenging mechanical. Despite all her trials and tribulations, she came just a couple of minutes short of taking the title – the question is how long will she take to recover from the effort.
Carfrae also enters the race with a big target on her back (Welcome to Chrissie’s life, Mirinda!) as the world’s top triathletes will bring their best every time they have a chance to race the world champ. Linsey Corbin has already won one Ironman 70.3 event this year (Pucon), and you know she’d like nothing better than to keep winning in 2011.
More: ironman.com - How'd you like to be aiming for a podium spot at Saturday's Rohto Ironman 70.3 California if you had to compete with these guys? Vegas spots for the Ironman World Championship 70.3? Good luck. The men's 45 to 49 age group includes seven men who all seem ready to break the 4:30 barrier. It could be the most competitive race of the day. (Photo of last year's winner, Paul Gompers, courtesy ASI.)
Included in the “Magnificent Seven” are:
John Murphy, whose results include a 4:18 at the 2009 and 2010 Ironman 70.3 Vineman, a 4:24 at the 2008 edition and a 4:30 in Oceanside in 2009. He was also the USAT Age Group National Champion last year.
Albert Boyce, who went 9:28 at the Ford Ironman World Championship last year (55/5:13/3:14), and won the 40-44 age group at Rohto Ironman 70.3 California in ‘06 and ‘07 in 4:26/4:20 respectively.
Pete Kain, who won his age group (40-44) in Oceanside in 4:29 and 4:31 in ‘05 and ’08.
Paul Gompers, the defending champion. His winning time last year was 4:28. Formerly one of America’s premier marathon runners, Gompers has a half-marathon best of 1:02:55, a marathon PB of 2:11 and finished fourth at the 1988 Olympic Trials Marathon.
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Mark Pietrofesa, who also finished in 4:28 last year. He went 9:53:48 (56:24/5:15/3:33) in Kona last year.
David Ciaverella, who’s 2010 Ironman campaign included a 9:44 at Ford Ironman Arizona, an impressive 10:14 in Kona and a scorching 9:25 at Ironman Brazil.
Finally, rounding out the group is the source of all this information, Mike Hebebrand. Over the last three years he’s seen his time in Oceanside drop from 4:48 to 4:39 to 4:31. Hebebrand has gone under 4:30 before – he went 4:27 in at the Vineman 70.3 last year. His Kona time in 2010 was a solid 9:58.
Originally from: ironman.com 
Paul Gompers won the M45-49 category last year. Photo courtesy ASI
- Return Saturday morning for IronmanLive coverage of the 2011 Rohto Ironman 70.3 California from Oceanside, California.
The men’s professional field is scheduled to hit the water a 6:40 a.m., Pacific Time (8:40 a.m. Eastern Time), with the women’s professional race hitting the Oceanside Harbor at 6:43 a.m.
IronmanLive will have live Athlete Tracking as well as text updates of the action from the course.
The weather forecast for race day is calling for partially cloudy skies and temperatures hovering around 67F.
See you race morning. 
- Welcome to Oceanside (or "O'side", as the locals call it) for the first big one of the North American season. We're just over two hours until the professional men hit the water to start the day.
- It's a little windy down at the harbor this morning. Forecast is calling for winds around 11mph this afternoon with the high reaching 68. Should make for some fast times by the very fast professional field assembled here.
- Michael Raelert did 3:58 to win here last year. He's not in town for this year's race, but we do have Andy Potts and Matty Reed, who have both gone much faster than that here. Potts won in '07 and '08, and Reed won a very fast race (3:51:50) over Potts (3:53:36) in '09.
- On the women's side, 2-time defending O'side champ Mirinda Carfrae (who also won a little race called the Hawaii Ironman last year) is back in town. She did a very impressive 4:20:29 to win last April. Can she go faster? Probably, but keep in mind she did do an Ironman (only her third) three weeks ago in New Zealand, so we'll have to see how she's recovered!
- Lesley Patterson is also ready to go this morning. She had a breakthrough year in 2010, kicking it off with a 2nd-place finish to Carfrae at this race. The budding Scottish superstar just joined the high-powered Trek/K-Swiss team this off season, which provided plenty of talented training partners.
- Speaking of the Trek/K-Swiss squad, Patterson's teammate Heather Jackson is also in transition this morning. She had an equally huge year in 2010, capped off by a 5th-place showing at the Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater, Florida. To get Jackson's take on one of her favorite races, check out this LAVA Magazine interview: bit.ly
- Transition is starting to get really crowded and this is one of the biggest transition areas you'll ever see. We've got over 2,400 age-group athletes almost ready to roll. At least no one has to make their final preparations in the rain this morning. So far these are the best conditions we've seen in some time at this race.
- Rasmus Henning is the other big name on the men's start list. Since making the jump from ITU speedster to Ironman contender he's had plenty of success, including a 5th-place finish at his 2009 Kona debut and a ridiculous 7:52 finish at Challenge Roth last year. He's been training in the Canary Islands all winter and looks very, very fit.
- The official word from Mike Reilly is that we had 2,251 athletes check in. There will be 23 wave starts...better start getting in line...
- Looks like there's a little bit of a marine layer hanging around this morning. Forecast says that it'll burn off and we'll have sunshine in a couple of hours, but it might be a little chilly at the start of the bike. One thing is for sure - the water will be very chilly. It's just a hair above 60 degrees in the harbor...could be worse...hope you brought a wetsuit...
- We're coming up on 15 minutes to go until the pro men kick things off. There's a LONG line of age groupers eager to follow. Only 70.3 miles to go.
- How fast will Andy Potts swim today? He turned in a 21:57 split when he finished second here in 2008. There's a little swell rolling in, but the harbor looks pretty calm. We'll see if he can turn in another sub 22-minute effort in just a few minutes.
- Watch out for Kelly Williamson on the swim - and for the whole race. She's having an incredible season so far including wins at Rev3 Costa Rica and San Juan 70.3.
- And the men's pro race is underway...
- BOOM goes the cannon - and the pro women are now underway too...Men 30-34 are next up...
- Rasmus Henning is one of the few guys in the race who can swim with Potts. Read a little more about Rasmus and the Operation Rebound athletes competing here: bit.ly
- CAF Operation Rebound Profile: Michael Johnston, U.S. Navy
Mike Johnston, from San Diego, is racing here in Oceanside today with bib number 101.
Mike grew up in Sacramento, CA. In high school, he was a member of the Air Force ROTC drill team. Mike enjoyed the military structure that ROTC provided and in 2003 he joined the Navy. After boot camp, Mike was assigned to VF-143 “The Pukin Dogs”, an F-14 squadron based out of Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA. Upon checking into his new command, he reported to the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy for deployment to the Middle East.
After returning from deployment, Mike lost his leg in a tragic motorcycle accident just 3 miles outside the front gate of his base. Though now an amputee, Mike was undeterred by his injury and petitioned to remain in the Navy. After almost a year of physical therapy Mike demonstrated to a Naval medical board that he was capable of handling the physical rigors of military service and was granted his wish to remain on active duty.
After receiving his clearance to stay in the Navy, Mike was forward deployed to Japan and assigned to the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. In 2008 Mike was reassigned to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, CA where he currently works as a parachute rigger for a helicopter squadron.
With the support of CAF Operation Rebound, Mike has competed in three sprint triathlons and is training to compete in his first 1/2 distance triathlon at the Nevada Silverman in November.
The generosity of supporters like you has given Mike the opportunity to stay active as a member of the CAF Operation Rebound team.
How Does Operation Rebound Help?
Operation Rebound provides unparalleled sports opportunities and support to our troops and veterans of any branch of service and first responders who have served honorably and have suffered permanent physical injuries. Grants are awarded for event travel, lodging, entry fees, training and equipment not provided by the VA or DoD.
Visit www.challengedathletes.org to see how you can help out. 
Michael Johnston, U.S. Navy
- No surprise, Potts is first out of the water after a 22:36 swim. He's just over a minute up on the chase pack behind him. In the chase is Henning, Reed, Hoffman, Weiss and a few others.
- Dede Greisbauer is the first of the women out of the water. Williamson is right behind her though!
- Top 10 Men - Swim Finish
1 22:36 2 Andy Potts Colorado Spring CO USA
2 24:16 1:40 37 Kyle Leto Walnut Creek CA USA
3 24:20 1:44 3 Rasmus Henning Tuineje SP DNK
4 24:22 1:46 1 Matty Reed Boulder CO USA
5 24:23 1:47 14 Paul Ambrose Sydney NS GBR
6 24:25 1:49 8 Maik Twelsiek Tucson AZ DEU
7 24:26 1:50 26 John Dahlz South San Franc CA USA
8 24:29 1:53 15 Bjorn Andersso Trollhattan SW SWE
9 24:29 1:53 30 Kevin Everett Boise CA USA
10 24:51 2:15 17 Mike Aigroz Chateau D'oex VD CHE - Men’s Swim
1. Andy Potts (USA) 22:36
2. Kyle Leto (USA) 24:16
3. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 24:20
4. Matty Reed (USA) 24:22
5. Paul Ambrose (AUS) 24:23 - Women’s Swim
1. Dede Griesbauer (USA) 25:48
2. Kelly Williamson (USA) 25:52
3. Heather Wurtele (CAN) 26:51
4. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 26:52
5. Magali Tisseyre (CAN) 26:54 - Top 10 Women - Swim Finish
1 25:48 0:00 72 Dede Griesbauer Boston CA USA
2 25:52 0:04 71 Kelly Williams Austin TX USA
3 26:51 1:03 74 Heather Wurtele Kelowna BC CAN
4 26:52 1:04 67 Mirinda Carfrae Boulder CO AUS
5 26:54 1:06 70 Magali Tisseyre St. Sauvier QC CAN
6 27:03 1:15 73 Hillary Biscay Tucson AZ USA
7 28:00 2:12 88 Kate Major Encinitas CA AUS
8 28:19 2:31 80 Jennifer Luebke Missoula MT USA
9 28:20 2:32 75 Melanie McQuaid
10 28:21 2:33 69 Linsey Corbin Missoula MT USA - Five miles in Potts still has a 90-second gap on the chase group of eight. Henning, Hoffmann, Leto, Reed are all in the chase pack.
- Women’s bike – mile 5
1. Magali Tisseyre (CAN)
2. Dede Griesbauer (USA) +:02
3. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) +:15
4. Kelly Williamson (USA) +:24
5. Melanie McQuaid (CAN) +1:28 - "Mighty Mouse" Magali Tisseyre is looking strong on the bike. The French Canadian has been training under legendary coach Siri Lindley, also coach of Mirinda Carfrae. Tisseyre and Griesbauer are leading the charge on the bike, but Carfrae and Williamson aren't far behind.
- Our spotters said Potts just passed mile 11.5. His lead is still hovering around a minute. The gap is coming down, but it's not coming down fast.
- Top Age Group Men - Swim Finish
1 24:38 - Chris Hauth Mill Valley CA USA
2 24:56 - Brian August Mill Valley CA USA
3 25:29 - Jeff Owen La Jolla CA USA
4 25:36 - Chris Berg La Jolla CA USA
5 25:38 - Max Biessman Irvine CA USA
6 25:38 - Garrett Hurley Cardiff CA USA
7 26:20- Creager Glendale AZ USA
8 26:43 - Barry Schab Fresno CA USA
9 26:58 - Olson Aliso Viejo CA USA
10 27:01 - Timmerma West Hills CA USA - Bjorn Andersson has been making his way through the field as he usually does. It's only a matter of time before he takes over the lead. The Swedish überbiker isn't often a threat once the run comes around, but he can really ride.
- Northern California's Chris Hauth was the first age grouper out of the water today in 24:28. The former Olympic swimmer won the 2006 edition of Ironman Coeur d'Alene.
- There must be some fast swimmers in the Bay Area. The top women's age-group swimmer today was Erin McCarty of San Jose. The 41-year-old wrapped up her swim in only 27:02.
Voice of Ironman Mike Reilly doing what he does best today – Photo by Roch Frey
- Our spotters are at mile 30 of the men's race. We'll have a time check in one minute to see if Potts has been able to hold off the charge from Andersson...
- We still haven't seen the sun yet today and it's keeping things cool. It's currently 61 degrees with just a little breeze. This is setting up to be a very fast day for racing.
- Potts is still hanging on. He's still got a comfortable cushion on Paul Ambrose (AUS), Kyle Leto (USA), Matty Reed (USA) and Rasmus Henning (DEN). The group is still about a minute behind Potts.
- Top 8 Men Mile 25 - Bike
1 1:20:43 0:00 2 Andy Potts Colorado Spring CO USA
2 1:21:50 1:07 14 Paul Ambrose Sydney NS GBR
3 1:21:53 1:11 37 Kyle Leto Walnut Creek CA USA
4 1:21:55 1:12 1 Matty Reed Boulder CO USA
5 1:21:57 1:14 3 Rasmus Henning Tuineje SP DNK
6 1:21:58 1:15 30 Kevin Everett Boise CA USA
7 1:22:02 1:19 26 John Dahlz South San Franc CA USA
8 1:22:08 1:25 15 Bjorn Andersso Trollhattan SW SWE - Potts told us yesterday that he still has his eye on making the 2012 US Olympic Team. Looks like he still has plenty of speed here today.
- Men’s bike – 30 miles
1. Andy Potts (USA)
2. Paul Ambrose (AUS) + 50 sec
3. Kirill Kostegarov (EST) + 50 sec
4. John Dahlz (USA) + 50 sec
5. Kevin Everett (USA) + 50 sec
6. Matty Reed (USA) + 50 sec
7. Bjorn Andersson (SWE) + 2 min
