70.3 World’s 2018: GB Age-Group review

Erica Fogg, Chris Standidge: fastest Age-Group Brits in Port Elizabeth

After Silver medals in the Pro races for both Lucy Charles and Alistair Brownlee, how did the British Age-Groupers get on in South Africa at the 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship?

FIND THE PRO REPORTS HERE >>> WOMEN | MEN

As with the Pro athletes, the Age-Group races took place over two days, with the women on Saturday and the men on Sunday.

Leading the way for the Brits on Saturday was Erica Fogg. Her performance was enough to earn her the Gold in the F40-44 division by just 43 seconds. Leading the way in the swim (28:04), her 2:42:24 bike split left her in third place on arrival at T2, 3:11 back. It may have taken well into the final quarter of the run, but Erica eventually worked herself back into the lead, finishing with a 1:28:41 half marathon.

A regular winner on the U.K. triathlon scene in the early 2000’s, Erica was the wife of the late Julian Jenkinson, the British triathlon pioneer who died suddenly in March 2016. I’m reliably informed that Erica raced on Julian’s old TT bike. Congratulations Erica, what a performance.

Top Three British Female Age-Group Athletes

1st – Erica Fogg – 4:46:12 (14th fastest AG athlete overall)
2nd – Naomi Keira Wright – 4:54:33 (34th fastest AG athlete overall)
3rd – Emma Wardall – 4:56:48 (45th fastest AG athlete overall)

The fastest British Age-Group male on Sunday was Chris Standidge, who you may well have trained with earlier this year if you take part in our weekly Zwift rides. Chris won the M35-39 division by a huge margin of 9:31. Earlier this year Chris lead the Outlaw Half Holkham off of the bike by a significant margin, but withdrew early in the run in order to protect a small injury with Port Elizabeth being his ultimate goal. That decision looks a very smart one now, for an athlete who has been one of the most consistent British Age-Groupers for many years.

My very own Ironman 70.3 World Champion!!! @chrisstandidge @TotalTri_UK pic.twitter.com/zpFgv1H9Je

— Heather Standidge (@Maccydee23) September 2, 2018

Top Three British Male Age-Group Athletes

1st – Chris Standidge – 4:01:22 (2nd fastest AG athlete overall)
2nd – Finley Thompson – 4:03:50 (6th fastest AG athlete overall)
3rd – David Bartlett – 4:07:23 (15th fastest AG athlete overall)

As well as Erica and Chris, there was one other British winner. Clive Kennedy-Burn won the 45-49 category last year by more than four minutes. His winning time this year was a huge 11:20, meaning he has now won the European and World Championship at IRONMAN 70.3 in both 2017 and 2018.

With the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Age-Group podium – like Kona – running five-deep, here is the full listing of British podium success.

IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, Port Elizabeth, South Africa – 1/2 September 2018
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

GB AGE-GROUP PODIUM RESULTS (Top-5 finish) – 10 in total

GOLD (3)

• Erica Fogg (F40-44) – 4:46:12
• Chris Standidge (M35-39) – 4:01:22
• Clive Kennedy-Burn (M45-49) – 4:09:23

SILVER (1)

• Graham Baxter (M50-54) – 4:21:26

BRONZE (3)

• Finley Thompson (M18-24) – 4:03:50
• David Bartlett (M30-34) – 4:07:23
• Peter Younghusband (M50-54) – 4:28:19

FIFTH (3)

• Ganna Kvas (F40-44) – 4:57:39
• Alison Buckley (F50-54) – 5:20:13
• Scott Whittlestone (M45-49) – 4:27:15