BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The weather was perfect, and the sky was blue as more than 275 professional and amateur athletes from around the world took the plunge into Qing Long Lake to compete in the first-ever Beijing International Triathlon on Sunday, September 16. Two-time Olympic Medalist Bevan Docherty from New Zealand won the inaugural race and Olympian Sarah Groff from the United States took first place among the women, a rewarding win after just missing a medal with her fourth place finish in the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
Featuring a 1.5 km swim in Qing Long Lake; a 40 km bike race through the villages of Fengtai to Qian Ling Mountain, the highest peak in Southwest Beijing; and a final 10 km run along stone paths, trails and bridges of Qing Long Lake Park, this all-new Olympic distance triathlon truly showcased the beauty, tradition and hospitality of China. Racers from 13 to 65-years old, represented 25 countries that participated in the triathlon. A prestigious field of the world’s top professional athletes including Chris “Macca” McCormack, Bevan Docherty, Matt Reed, Brian Fleishmann, Bai Faquan, Jenna Parker, Becky Lavelle, Sarah Groff, Ricarda Lisk, Nicky Samuels and Zhang Yi, competed for $100,000 in prize money.
“It was the perfect day in the Fengtai district of Beijing for a triathlon, the air was clean the water temperature comfortable and the course smooth with flat roads, good climbs and a picturesque scenery; it had everything,” said 2012 Beijing International Triathlon Male Winner Bevan Docherty. “I felt really strong throughout the entire race, even when I was neck and neck with Matt Reed on the bike and then again after a bit of cat and mouse with him on the run, I was able to push ahead. It was a great race, a lot of fun and I look forward to coming back to Beijing next year.”
| Top Finishers: | ||
| First Place: | Bevan Docherty, NZL, 1:54:24 | |
| Sarah Groff, USA, 2:04:09 | ||
| Second Place: | Matt Reed, USA, 2:03:53 | |
| Nicky Samuels, NZL, 2:05:52 | ||
| Third Place: | Chris “Macca” McCormack, AUS, 1:56:37 | |
| Becky Lavelle, USA, 2:06:40 | ||
| Fourth Place: | Brian Fleishmann, USA, 1:58: 37 | |
| Jenna Parker, USA, 2:06:47 | ||
| Fifth Place: | Bal Faquan, CHN, 2:03:03 | |
| Ricarda Lisk, GER, 2:14:32 | ||
| Sixth Place: | Zhang Yi, CHN, 2:18:07 |
“After the high pressure environment of racing in the London Olympics, to come to Beijing and feel the warmth of the people, the cheers from the crowds and see the beautiful scenery, it made me remember why I love this sport,” said 2012 Beijing International Triathlon Female First Place Winner Sarah Groff.
The Beijing International Triathlon is hosted by the Fengtai Sports Bureau of Beijing and produced by IMG Worldwide. The 2012 Beijing International Triathlon is presented by Beijing Capital Land, co-sponsored by BAIC Motor, and official sponsors Risun Chemicals and Under Armour. For more information visit www.beijinginternationaltriathlon.com.
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