Baldwin, Blatchford rule full Ironman
SUBIC – Seychelles’ Nick Baldwin and Liz Blatchford of Great Britain survived the ultimate test in endurance racing, ruling their respective sides in imposing fashions to crown themselves the first Century Tuna full Ironman champions from sun up to sun down here Sunday.
Baldwin flashed top form coming off a dominant win back home three months ago, outclassing the elite men’s pro field with a big fightback in the bike leg before fending off fancied New Zealand’s Cameron Brown’s rally in the grueling full marathon phase of the punishing 3.2k swim, 180k bike and 42k run race.
The 30-year-old Baldwin clocked 8:50:13, below world championship standard posted by Swede Jesper Svensson (8:07) in Brazil last month but enough to net him the historic first full-distance Ironman title in the country.
“When I was suffering in the run stage, I think all the running I did early this year and this helped a lot. I am pleased in the end that I did that,” said Baldwin, a two-time runner-up in the Hawaii world championship after likewise nailing his first Ironman crown in 26 stints.
He finished six minutes ahead of Brown, who timed 8:56:13 while another Kiwi, Simon Cochrane set the pace in the opening swim stage but faded in the next two to settle for third in 8:58:58 in the centerpiece event which offered slots in the World Championship in Hawaii in October.
“Cameron is one of the best Ironman athletes in the world and when he’s not far behind you and gaining, you’re scared and I was very scared. It was just gritting my teeth and just pushing and giving it everything I had,” said Baldwin. PR