On November 15, 2009, Clearwater, Florida dedicated its city to the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. The pro list was made up of Ironman, 70.3, Xterra and ITU Champions: Reed, Bozzone, Bennett, Zeiger, and Dibens just to name a few.

The days before the race the weather would threaten with heavy winds as well as dictate a change in the swim location. The day before the race all participants were made aware that the swim would take place in the harbor versus the original beach start do to strong rip currents and strong waves.

On race morning the athletes were greeted with sunny skies and calm winds. The pros started before the age groupers. Starting 8 minutes ahead of the pro men, defending champion Joanna Zeiger and her fellow group of pro women would challenge the 1.2-mile swim course.  Sara Groff would be the first woman out of the water for the pro women's field.

Estonia's Marko Albert wasn't just the first pro male to get out of the water; he also broke the men's course swim record with a 21:35 swim. Not too far behind Albert were (American) Brian Fleischmann and (Great Britain) Fraser Cartmell.

Groff's lead out of the water would not last long as the current Xterra World Champion, Julie Dibens, came to Clearwater on a mission. That mission was to be crowned the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 women's champion. Once on the bike Dibens took a lead that she would never get back.

On the men's side of the race there was a lot movement in the leader's position on the bike course. Newly crowned ITU Long Course World Champion and a favorite to win here (American) Tim O'Donnell would lead for awhile. Defending Champion Torenzo Bozzone, Matt Reed, Phil Graves and Andrew Starykowicz (Timex bonus winner) all led at one point or another during the bike leg.

The Clearwater (56 mile) bike course, which in known to be relatively flat and fast, challenged the athletes with a 5 mph winds. This bike course, as well as the Ironman distance race, is historic for its pack/peloton style of riding or, in other words, drafting. If you get caught drafting you will be given a four-minute penalty.

Coming intoT2 Andrew Starykowicz, Torenzo Bozzone and Greg Bennett led the men and Julie Dibens led the women with over a 3-minute lead. While in T2 Matt Reed would join the men and make his way to the run course leading the rest of the pro men's field.

Trailing Reed was Greg Bennett, who is known for his smart and tactical racing style. Greg Bennett, an Olympian and Life Time Fitness Grand Slam Champion, is highly respected in the triathlon world. Both Greg and his wife Laura Bennett raced the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3.

The 13.1 mile run course would not stop the movement of men's leaders. The battle for first was on amongst the men throughout the run. There was a different story in the women's race as most were racing for second.  Julie Dibens showed the rest of the women that she was not going to let up or let anyone steal the win from her. Dibens pressed on and extended her lead to come in first and was crowned the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, champion.

With a half marathon time of 1:09:05 and finishing time of 3:34:04, which is a new men's course record, Michael Realert was the men's 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 champion.

Last years women's champion, Joanna Zeiger, would have to be taken off the bike course after she crashed at an aid station. Joanna suffered a broken clavicle along with some bruising and scrapes. She is doing well and is looking to come out of this even stronger for next season. Watch out ladies. (Get well & heal fast Joanna)

Top 5 Women:

Top 5 Men:

Congratulations to all who raced the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. For a complete list of this race and other pros race results, visit www.finishline-multisport.com

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