Triathlon winner completes course in record fashion

 Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print 

The triathlon brought more than 1,500 athletes to Clearwater - including winner Michael Raelert. (More images from the race)

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Competing in just his second Ironman 70.3 event, German Michael Raelert not only won the event Saturday in Clearwater but broke a course record in the process.

Raelert completed the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1 mile run in 3 hours and 34 minutes.

He broke the old course record by six minutes.

A little more than 1,500 athletes from almost 60 countries competed in the event, which snaked through Clearwater and Clearwater Beach.

"It was kind of tough. It was windy and kind of tough conditions,' Raelert said. "I expected to kind of be in the front during the first leg but I didn't know how far I could go. (And) I didn't know I got a course record.'  

Daniel Fontana of Italy placed second at 3:36.44 while Matthew Reed of Boulder, Colorado place third at 3:37.50

On the women's side, Julie Dibens of Great Britain placed first, finishing the course in 3:59.33.

Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!

Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.

• Subscribe for free!

More Pinellas County Stories

• 2-year-old runs into traffic, hit by SUV
• New: Task force recommends three options for pier
• Double shooting in Pinellas Park part of a feud
• DUI arrest made in crash that injured a cyclist
• In Depth: Going to the Grand Prix? Get info here
• Update: St. Pete house fire caused by outlet shortage
• Largo art teacher arrested for DUI, fleeing
• Task force to narrow down options for new Pier
• Work underway in preparation for Grand Prix

• Upload video
• Employee blogs

• Twitter
  
• RSS news feed

Toyota Sports Connection is LIVE at 11 p.m. every night of the week with the latest news and highlights.

Starting Jan. 1 - Toyota Sports Connection will only be on BHSN, channel 47, and no longer on Bay News 9.

Get everything you want to know on the South Florida Bulls right here! Go Bulls!

• The Stan Heath show

Watch the University of Central Florida Knights right here on Bright House Sports Network.

• UCF Sports Tonight 

Gator fans this is the place to be. Get everything you need to know about the University of Florida Gators.

Information For Your Lifestyle

	Don't let bad credit get in the way of a car loan
	Auto insurance too expensive? How to cut your cost