Qualifies for IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships. Briefly.
Jenson Button’s passion for the sport of triathlon is widely known and genuine.
Since getting involved around 8/9 years ago in Lanzarote as a way to support the fitness requirements of his motor racing career, the 2009 Formula 1™ World Champion has truly embraced triathlon. As well as developing into a fine athlete himself (he’s been on the podium at IRONMAN 70.3 races previously), he also founded the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon, now held in Markeaton Park, Derby, a great event which raises tens of thousand’s of pounds for charity every year – and an event I very much enjoy being part of the on-site commentary team at. It is a great day out for all the family.
On Saturday, Jenson was racing at IRONMAN 70. 3 Oceanside in California in the 35-39 category and after an excellent race he thought he’d finished third in his AG and qualified for the IRONMAN 70.3 World’s, later this year in Chattanooga…
…until finding out that he had been DQ’d, for speeding on the bike. The irony! He wasn’t alone, as many riders fell foul of this race-specific rule for the Oceanside course, implemented for safety reasons:
Jenson has taken it well – I expect we’ll see more of his racing in triathlon events later in the season.
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