Jan Frodeno was originally supposed to be the star of the day at the final middle distance race of the year, the Ironman 70.3 Canberra. But after the cancellation of the Olympic champion from Beijing at short notice, the race took on a surprising shape. Because with the only 23-year-old Australian Samuel Appleton, an athlete won in the end that nobody had expected before.
Appleton also benefited from the performance of his compatriot James Hodge in his victory. Together with him he had worked out a lead in the water, which both of them were able to extend on the bike. At the beginning of the half marathon, Appleton seized the initiative and won after 3:54:54 hours with a lead of almost four minutes over Matthew Pellow, who was able to intercept Hodge a few kilometers from the finish.
The women's favorite Rebekah Keat won. In the end she won ahead of Madeleine Oldfield and Kym Jaenke with a time of 4:25:58 hours. Both were several minutes behind.
//Result men
1 Samuel Appleton—3:54:53
2 Matthew Pellow—3:58:44
3 James Hodge—3:59:23
4John Polson—4:00:51
5Michael Fox—4:02:17