Triathlon-Baldwin ranks third in Ironman 70.3 Boulder race |10 August 2012

The Seychellois triathlete, who is turning professional next year, said this after taking part in last weekend’s Ironman 70.3 Boulder race in
Colorado, USA, finishing third in the 18-24 age group and 34th overall (including professionals) out of over 1,300 athletes.

Held in Boulder, known as the triathlon training mecca, the race attracted many of the world’s best professional and amateur athletes.
 
Although he was unsure whether he would be able to make the start due to illness on race morning, Baldwin clocked two personal best times (PB) in the bike split and total finish time over the 70.3 mile distance.

His split times were: 1.2 mile swimming – 28 minutes 56 seconds, 56 mile cycling – 2 hours 17 minutes 18 seconds (personal best and an average

 speed of 24.5mph) and 13.1 mile running – 1 hour 26 minutes 38 seconds, for a total time of 4 hours 16 minutes 19 seconds (including transition times which is also a new personal best time).

“I'm pleased with the race, especially as I was unsure whether I'd be able to make the start due to illness on race morning,” Baldwin wrote in an e-mail to Sports Nation.

“It was a tough test against some strong competition, and I have realised the areas that need work in the coming months ahead of the two forthcoming world championship races.

  Training and racing against stronger athletes have helped me improve and also realise how much work is needed to compete amongst the world’s best,” he added.

Baldwin has just one race left before competing in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas on September 9, where the very best athletes have qualified to compete for the world championship title.

Last month, Baldwin was the winner of the 20-24 age group category and was ranked third overall out of over 200 competitors in the inaugural Evergreen Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 12-mile bike and 3-mile run) raced in Colorado.
His times were: 750m swimming  – 10 minutes 33 seconds (transition 1 minute 00.39 seconds), 12-mile biking – 35 minutes 14 seconds (transition 2 minutes 00.39 seconds), and 3-mile running – 19 minutes 17 seconds for an overall time of 1 hour 6 minutes 20 seconds.

He had another good test when he won the amateur and 20-24 years old categories of the 'My Way or the Tri Way' Sprint Triathlon in Aurora, Colorado.

With a cumulative time of 1 hour 04 minutes 48 seconds (750m swim in 12 minutes 48 seconds, 12.5 mile cycling in 28 minutes 36 seconds and 3.5 mile running in 21 minutes 09 seconds), he was also ranked third overall out of 350 athletes.

G. G.