PUTRAJAYA: Two-time Half Ironman world champion Craig Alexander won the Putrajaya Ironman 70.3 men's title on Sunday while Radka Vodickova claimed the women's crown for a second time.
Australian Alexander, who is also a three-time world champion in the full Ironman, broke clear during the run after a strong showing in the water and on the bike to win by over three minutes.
Vodickova, the 2014 Putrajaya race winner from the Czech Republic, showed her liking for the searing climes to control the women’s race, winning by nearly four minutes.
Alexander was 35 seconds behind compatriot Josh Amberger after swimming 1.9km and had a deficit of three minutes to make up after the 90km cycling segment.
But Alexander then ran past his rivals in the half-marathon to finish in three hours, 55 minutes and 36 seconds with Amberger trailing in second by 3:29 while Britain's Stuart Hayes completed the podium in 4:01:25.
"It’s really nice to win following on from Subic Bay recently as well," said Alexander.
"It was hot in the water and on the bike, so the key was not to spike the heart rate. I was conservative on the swim and tried to keep at a steady pace on the bike.
"We got caught by the bunch on the second (cycling) loop and things slowed a little but in fact it may have played into my hands.
"I felt really good on the run, made sure I kept the fluids up and was able to catch Josh. He is a great young athlete and one of the best swim-bikers I’ve ever come up against."
Vodickova left her rivals trailing in her wake in the 21km run and finished the race in 4:22:16.
Australians Liz Blatchford and Kate Bevilaqua were second and third respectively in 4:26:05 and 4:36:18.
"It was crazy hot out there but everything was perfect for me today," said Vodickova. "I did not push too much in the water and it was important to keep a normal pace on the bike as well.
"Once it came to the run I made sure I focused on hydration at every aid station and before I knew it I was at the finish.
The third edition of the race, with a total distance of 70.3 miles and half the length of a full Ironman, saw over 1,300 triathletes from 51 countries competing, including 40 professionals.