Swimming, cycling, running: What happened with the return of Ironman 70.3 Augusta?

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read

Ironman 70.3 Augusta plays host to athletes from across the globe, but none of the 2022 champions that competed Sunday hailed from distant shores.

The triathlon kicked off at 7 a.m. Sunday with nearly 2,000 competitors. The race began with a mile-long swim down the Savannah River. Then participants boarded bicycles for a 56-mile loop that through south Augusta and back to downtown. It concluded with a 13.1 mile run through downtown.

The first pro man to cross the finish line in front of the Augusta Common was Jason West from Boulder, Colorado with a time of 3:35:18.

Pedestrian bridge to open: Augusta's Fifth Street pedestrian bridge opening Saturday, just in time for Ironman 70.3

What can you do?: Test the waters: Where to go boating, kayaking and fishing around Augusta

Jason West, first place triathlete for the pro men's group, holds the finish line ribbon after finishing the Ironman 70.3 at Augusta on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. West finished with a time of 3:35:18.
Jason West, first place triathlete for the pro men's group, holds the finish line ribbon after finishing the Ironman 70.3 at Augusta on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. West finished with a time of 3:35:18.

West placed second in last year's Augusta competition.

"It's always really special," West said of winning. "You never know if you're gonna get another win. It's so hard, so you never want to take it for granted."

He said he plans to celebrate with a steak, a beer, and having some fun when he gets back to Colorado.

Coming in second in the pro male category was Trevor Foley from Jacksonville, Florida with a time of 3:36:07. Finishing third was Justin Metzler, also from Boulder, with a time of 3:40:20.

The first pro woman to cross the finish line was Grace Alexander from Summerville, South Carolina with a time of 4:12:28. It was a moment she called "incredible."

Alexander said she focused on her nutrition and staying hydrated for this year's race. Up next for her are the world championships in Hawaii.

Alexander was followed by Lottie Lucas from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with a time of 4:13:33 and Sarah Bishop from Fairfax, Virginia, with a time of 4:16:33. Once standing on the winners' podiums, the top three athletes in each category were given a bouquet of flowers and a can of non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing Co., which they immediately shook and sprayed all over each other in celebration.

[From left] Lottie Lucas, Grace Alexander, and Sarah Bishop spray beer to celebrate their wins during the Ironman 70.3 at Augusta on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.
[From left] Lottie Lucas, Grace Alexander, and Sarah Bishop spray beer to celebrate their wins during the Ironman 70.3 at Augusta on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.

There were two physically challenged athletes, the champion being Jonathan Keech with a time of 5:40:30 followed by Peter Belford with a time of 7:22:48. Both are from the U.S.

First place in relay teams went to team "Tri Harder" with a time of 4:27:48. Second went to team "Fast and Furious" with a time of 4:40:23 and third went to team "East Nashville Tri Club" with a time of 4:44:48.

To find out the results of each age group division, go to ironman.com.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: A breakdown of winners at the Ironman 70.3 Augusta, Georgia