(Craig Alexander races in Boulder, Colorado File Photo)
Craig Alexander started his 2010 racing season the same way he ended his 2009 race season...by winning.
The returning champion did it again at the Australian Geelong Ironman 70.3 triathlon by winning the 70.3 Ironman race over Leon Griffin in a time of 3:53:1.
But even as the Ironman World Championship is still 8 months away, Alexander has already stamped his dominance on the 2010 racing season.
Click HERE to watch Alexander win the 2009 Ironman World Championship from Kona Hawaii.
"I'm really happy with that," said Alexander. "That was a solid hit-out, especially considering all the travel. I've done a strong block of training these last five or six weeks."
In the women's race it was Switzerland's Caroline Steffen who took the podium by almost 5 minutes over Carrie Lester.
Last year’s winner Sam Warriner of New Zealand just missed the podium and came in fourth for the day.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald:
"Clayton Fettell set a blistering pace in the men's race after emerging from the 1.9km swim in 21:54, over two minutes clear of the chase group which included Alexander, Paul Ambrose, Michael Murphy and Jan Rehula.
Fettel was five minutes ahead after the 90.1 km bike leg.
Alexander overhauled him 11km into the run and Fettel hung on gamely for fifth place.
Griffin admired Alexander's performance."
"Today was always going to come down to a running race," he said. "Craig showed why he's the world champion, he ran away with ease."
Men's Professional Race
1. Craig Alexander (NSW) 3:53:15
2. Leon Griffin (VIC) 3:54:35
3. Tim Berkel (NSW) 3:56:10
4. Peter Schokman (NSW) 3:56:25
5. Clayton Fettell (NSW) 3:56:39
Women's Professional Race Results
1. Caroline Steffen (SWI) 4:14:32
2. Carrie Lester (QLD) 4:19:32
3. Lisa Marangon (NSW) 4:19:49
4. Samantha Warriner (NZ) 4:23:01
5. Nicole Ward (NSW) 4:30:29
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