Spain's Javier Gómez begins his 2014 Ironman season the way he ended last year - with a win. Was the current of the Panama Canal initially with him and left him together with the Belgian Axel Zeebroek reached the shore after just under 17 minutes, it was the cycling where he had to fight hard with his competitors. The Spanish-Belgian duo took to the road with a lead of almost 30 seconds, but after just a few kilometers the chasing group of Andrew Starykowicz, the Australian Richie Cunningham, Matt Chrabot and Matt Reed (both USA), Bevan Docherty (NZL) and the Swissman advanced Manuel Küng closer and closer. In the end it was Starykowicz who took the lead while Gómez seemed to falter.
At the second change he was only seventh and had some ground to make up. But Gómez wouldn't be Gómez if he didn't master this challenge. The Spaniard was unstoppable on foot. He took a whopping ten minutes from the rest of the field and crossed the finish line in 3:38:28 hours. He is followed by the American Matt Chrabot, almost four minutes behind, Betrand Billard is third.
At the beginning of the women's race, the three Americans Mary Beth Ellis and Laurel and Rebeccah Wassner dominated. They were almost uncatchable on water, but already on the first two bike laps they had to pay tribute to their high initial speed and were caught by the Canadian Angela Naeth. The German Svenja Bazlen was also able to work her way up to the top and changed into her running shoes while in second place. Catriona Morrison, who was third up to that point, increased the pace enormously. She took the lead after just a few kilometers and seemed to be winning the race. However, the all-important attack came only two kilometers before the finish line. Naeth countered and moved past her competitor to secure victory at Ironman 70.3 Panama. Svenja Bazlen crosses the finish line almost seven minutes behind the leader and finishes third.
result men
1. Javier Gomez (ESP) 3:38:28
2. Matt Chrabot (USA) 3:42:12
3. Bertrand Billiards (FRA) 3:43:24
4. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:45:42
5. Andrew Starykowicz (USA) 3:46:26
result women
1. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:04:58
2 Catriona Morrison (GBR) 4: 06: 16
3 Svenja Bazlen (GER) 4: 08: 12
4 Heather Jackson (USA) 4: 13: 24
5. Ruth Brennan Morey (USA) 4:14:22