Retains Age Group title, qualifies for second year running for World Championships
Brutally hot conditions were the order of the day for the thousands of athletes vying to cross the Ironman 70.3 Budapest finish line within the stipulated cut-off times. A sixteen athlete strong delegation from Malta travelled to the Hungarian capital to undertake a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21km run.
For some it was their first experience, for others it was a return to challenge and achieve a better time.
The 1.9k swim took place in the murky Kopaszi bay of the river Danube and was a rolling start – this means that athletes lined up according to their estimated predicted swim time, with the fastest swimmers going first. This process was recently introduced for Ironman races as a safety measure to attempt to ensure as much of a safe racing environment as possible. The 90km cycle saw athletes cycling along the river Danube, through Buda Hills, and crossing the world famous Chain Bridge into Pest – allowing for some spectacular sights whilst tackling a flat and fast course. As the day progressed and athletes progressed into the 21km run route, saw athletes having to tackle the run route in temperatures of over 30 degrees.
Triathlete Hannah Pace returned to the course after having successfully won her Age Group last year and becoming the first Maltese female to clinch a coveted place at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships which will be held in the coming weeks. Pace completed the race in a time of 4 hours 27 minutes and 43 seconds, smashing last years’ time by seventeen minutes and establishing a national record in the process. Pace’s result and placing saw her once again obtain a qualifying slot for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 Championships which will be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
“Budapest, being my first Ironman 70.3, will always be a special race for me and it was amazing to return after a year and smash my previous time. I knew I was in good form based on thetimes I had been producing in training but I would have never guessed to have such a great race” commented Pace after the race. “My focus is now aimed towards the World Championships in five weeks time, I take the opportunity to thank my sponsors – Garmin Malta, Team Barry Malta International Challenge Marathon, Teamsport, CFragrances Perfumes, Go & Fun Energy Drink Malta. Special thanks go to the Malta Triathlon Federation for their support”
Michelle Vella Wood also gave a strong performance, after having taken a break from triathlon to focus on cycling. Vella Wood finished in second place in her Age Group in a time of 4 hours 41 minutes and 29 seconds, thus also qualifying for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 Championships.
Improvements in timings were also registered by Glen Zammit and Maria Vella-Galea who returned to the course after having completed it in 2014.
A hundred percent success rate was registered by the Maltese delegation since all athletes successfully completed the course. The Maltese delegation included Claire Azzopardi Lane, William Brydon, Andre Cutajar, Ruth Debono, Suzanne Farrugia, Anthony Fenech, Elaine Fenech, Felicienne Mercieca, Marvic Mizzi, Hannah Pace, Nadine Tabone, Mike Tanti, Maria Vella-Galea, Michelle Vella Wood, Daren Zahra, Glen Zammit.
