Against strong field, Blatchford didn’t expect to dominate Ironman PH

Liz Blatchford. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SUBIC — Liz Blatchford got a headstart and never looked back to conquer the top pro women category of the first ever Ironman Philippines on Sunday here.

Blatchford registered a time of 9 hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds, 18 minutes and 13 seconds faster than second-placer and fellow Australian Dimity Lee Duke.

It was a dominating performance by Blatchford, who, herself was surprised with the turnout.

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“I guess you can never count out your competitors. There’s a lot of strong women here and you know at Ironman, anything can happen so I think I didn’t expect it but I’m very happy that it turned out that way,” said Blatchford.

Blatchford led throughout the 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-km bike and 42 km run and was never really threatened.

Simone Maier of New Zealand also had a remarkable run en route to a third-place finish.

She started in sixth place in the swim and fifth after the first transition before gaining steam on the bike.

The inaugural full distance Ironman in the Philippines was Blatchford’s first race since giving birth last year.

Alexandra Ganzon of the Philippines finished last in the eight-woman field.