Triathlon winner completes course in record fashion

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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.

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