Chapple claims age-group world half-ironman bronze in New Zealand
Megan Chapple added to her impressive trophy cabinet with an age-group bronze at last weekend’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
Competing below the professional women’s race in Taupo, New Zealand, the Island Games champion finished third in the 25-29 category and ninth overall within the large field of age-group triathletes tackling the ‘half Ironman’ distance.
The Australia-based Sarnian had to dig deep to do so. She finished the 1.2-mile swim merely 73rd in her age group, leaving her having to put in a big shift on the bike – which she achieved.
Chapple had climbed up to third by the end of the 56-mile cycle leg, for which she posted the fastest split in her category.
It did not take long for her to close down the age-group leaders on the half marathon run and enter first place.
However, the heat and the course’s hillier-than-advertised nature made it some battle for her.
She ultimately clocked 4hrs 32min. 54sec., just 27sec. down on Great Britain compatriot Molly Savill as the USA’s Kelly Barton took top spot just over another 1min. ahead.
‘I dug so deep and crossed the line in third,’ she said on social media.
‘Relieved, exhausted and so happy. The best way to end another year.’
Guernsey triathlete and Slovakian national Dana Ujhazyova competed in the 40-44 age group, where she finished 34th.
The age-group event formed part of a bustling weekend of ‘tri’ racing, in which USA Olympic triathlete Taylor Knibb won the pro women’s race in 3-57-34 to become world champion for a third year running.
