Ironman: Bozzone happy to make podium after Frodeno shows his class on run

Jan Frodeno recorded a fast 1hr 12min 47sec half marathon time in winning yesterday's Ironman 70.3 Auckland. Photo / Richard Robinson

Terenzo Bozzone was having what he considered a good day before Jan Frodeno surged past him in the early stages of the half marathon run in yesterday's Ironman 70.3 Auckland event.

The race, which doubles as the Asia Pacific Championships, was over at that point and Kiwi Bozzone knew it - Noosa-based German Frodeno, an Olympic champion, also passing early leader Andrew Yoder of the USA and extending his lead over the field in hot and still conditions.

Bozzone, who finished third behind Frodeno and Australian Richie Cunningham, could only cling to memories of a previous success when Frodeno made his move.

"I was surprised after giving it a bit of a push on the bike that I still had a bit in the tank [on the run]," Bozzone said. "I thought I was moving along quite nicely but Jan Frodeno, he showed his class ... he came past me running way too quick, I had to let him go.

"In the 70.3 World Championships [in Las Vegas last year] he came out with me on the run and set a blistering pace but halfway through the run he cramped up. When he went past me today I said 'better watch out, you don't want to cramp up, Jan'. I was keeping my fingers crossed it might happen. But he's a class act. It's great to have guys like him racing here at the start of the season. He shows what this sport is developing into."

It appears the half Ironman distance event of 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run is developing into a race for extremely fast runners - just like the shorter Olympic distance has.

After leading the swim and being in the chase group on the bike, which included a Harbour Bridge crossing, Frodeno posted a blistering 1hr 12min 47sec half marathon time, easily the fastest of the day. Denied a chance at this event last year because of a training ride crash two days beforehand, Bozzone posted the fastest bike leg with 2.09:55 as he led the bunch chasing Yoder, but that and a quick second transition were no match for Frodeno.

It was Frodeno's first win at this distance in his third attempt.

Bozzone, Cunningham and Bevan Docherty fought for the minor placings on the run, with Cunningham, the toes on his left foot bleeding after knocking them on a concrete step getting out of the swim, showing good speed for second, with Docherty, second last year, having to settle for fourth.

After the disappointment of last year, Bozzone was pleased to make the podium.

"I've been on the podium in my last 17 finishes and I really wanted to keep that up. I'm just really happy to be able to finish third today in front of a home crowd."

In the women's race, Scotland's Catriona Morrison prevailed over Australian Annabel Luxford, with Kiwi Jo Lawn third.

Morrison overtook defending champion Luxford about 6km from the finish thanks to a strong run leg which made up the deficit of more than two minutes at the second transition. In Morrison's favour also was the fact Luxford took a wrong turn on the bike leg on Hobson St which cost her about a minute. Morrison also took the wrong turn but quickly realised her error.

"It was my mistake but it's quite ambiguous as to when to turn," Luxford said. "That fact that the two girls behind me turned that way too, I just think that clearer marshalling would be beneficial."

Morrison said: "As competitors we're responsible for knowing the course."