Search
shop

70.3 Dún Laoghaire: Elliot Smales, Emma Pallant win in Ireland

There was an element of Deja Vu at the first IRONMAN 70.3 Dún Laoghaire in Ireland on Sunday, as both podiums were also topped by the winners of IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire, Elliot Smales and Emma Pallant
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Staffordshire 70.3 winners also top the podium in Dún Laoghaire

Sunday’s IRONMAN 70.3 Dún Laoghaire was a part new / part revised addition to the IRONMAN UK and Ireland tour. There had previously been three previous editions of IRONMAN 70.3 Dublin (starting in Dún Laoghaire), the revised event now also finishing in the coastal town, which lies 12km south of Dublin city centre.

Pro Men

After winning his first IRONMAN 70.3 title at IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire in June, Elliot Smales added another strong result on the UK circuit (he was also fourth in Edinburgh), to cross the line more than four minutes clear of Andy Potts.

A leading trio of Smales, Potts and Sigurdur Ragnarsson (ICE) gained a lead of almost two and a half minutes through the 1.9km swim on Scotsman’s Bay – and more than five minutes over super-biker and home favourite, Bryan McCrystal, who recently smashed the Irish iron-distance record at Challenge Roth.

12 months ago, after 70.3 Dublin, I said of Elliot Smales, “In his first Pro season, he’s gaining valuable experience – and will be well aware that a step-up in his TT riding over the winter should net him some even better results in 2018.” Well, that is proving correct. A fine swimmer and runner, he is now proving his worth on two wheels too, and by T2 was away and clear with the second fastest bike split of the day (2:26:51), only beaten by the powerhouse that is McCrystal (2:24:18). He would start the run with a three and a half minute lead over the the Irishman, with Potts and Elliot Bach (USA), five minutes down.

He was never under threat, and a 1:17:48 run resulted in a comfortable winning margin over Potts (1:16:59), the former IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, who was able to jump into the Silver medal position.

Pro Women

Emma Pallant – who also won in Staffordshire – had a close battle all day with Tine Deckers (BEL), to add a third 70.3 win of the season (winning in Barcelona too), at the end of a strong training block as she seeks another IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship podium, after her Silver medal in 2017.

The women were lead through the water by Rebeccah Wassner (USA) IN 29:45, with Emma Pallant next out in 31:48, alongside Amber Ferreira (USA). Tine Deckers (BEL) doesn’t excel in the water – 34:15 was her time – but the five-time IRONMAN France winner was going to make this a race, and by the midpoint of the bike had reached the lead with only Emma Pallant able to stay with her.

Deckers continued the pressure over the second half of the ride and after a split six minutes quicker than the Brit, had turned her swim deficit into a 1:45 lead at T2. Pallant of course is a fine runner and 7km later had caught the Belgian athlete, before pushing on and taking another win.

IRONMAN 70.3 Dun Laoghaire, Ireland – Sunday 19th August 2018
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – Elliot Smales (GBR) – 4:13:58
2nd – Andy Potts (USA) – 4:18:12
3rd – Bryan McCrystal (IRL) – 4:23:27
4th – Artem Parienko (RUS) – 4:27:08
5th – Elliot Bach (USA) – 4:29:06
6th – Pete Dyson (GBR) – 4:29:19

IRONMAN 70.3 Dún Laoghaire 2018

PRO WOMEN

1st – Emma Pallant (GBR) – 4:48:02
2nd – Tine Deckers (BEL) – 4:49:31
3rd – Amber Ferreira (USA) – 5:04:01
4th – Nicole Falcaro (USA) – 5:04:55
5th – Suzie Richards (GBR) – 5:10:45

IRONMAN 70.3 Dún Laoghaire 2018

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Sam Laidlow wins IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Sam Laidlow hails ‘special’ IRONMAN Leeds crowd after one fan sign turned chiller into thriller
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee says “I’ve still got it” after roaring back to action with terrific Toronto win
Superstar Hayden Wilde reveals decision day for potential comeback at T100 London
Sam Laidlow wins IRONMAN Leeds 2025
IRONMAN Leeds 2025: Laidlow validates Nice spot in perfect style with another win
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...