Medal haul across the globe for Bahrain Endurance

Manama : It was a solid weekend of racing for Bahrain Endurance 13 as the athletes claimed gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games, Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, and Ironman 70.3 Texas.

Ashleigh Gentle played a key role during her leg of the triathlon mixed relay to get Australia across the line first for gold.  As the penultimate athlete on the four-person team, it fell to Gentle to make up a 15-second deficit to England on the bike. She then set up a 39-second lead on the run as she handed off to Jake Birtwhistle. 

Australia’s anchor athlete increased that lead by 13 seconds over the course of his leg to wrap up the win versus Alistair Brownlee, who brought England home for silver. After a fifth place finish in the individual event earlier in the week, Gentle felt grateful for the opportunity to redeem herself as part of the winning mixed relay. 

“It’s not going to sink in for a while, I can’t believe I’ve got a Commonwealth Games gold medal and to feel as though I gave so much to the team as well, it’s really satisfying,” Gentle said. “I’m just so glad I was able to perform for the team.”

Brownlee commented, “I thought even if I got it together it would be close. We talked through every combination last night, and we knew it would be with Australia but we didn’t pick this… We’ll keep progressing and preparing for the Olympics.”

Meanwhile, Jan Frodeno opened his racing season with a wire-to-wire win at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside. The two-time Ironman world champion and Olympic gold medallist was in a different league, finishing almost four minutes ahead of reigning Ironman world champion Lionel Sanders. 

Holly Lawrence led through most of the race at Oceanside, but a fleet Anne Haug put together the day’s fastest bike and run splits to overtake her for the win. Lawrence held on for second, with five minutes separating her and final podium placer Sarah True.

Ben Kanute wrapped up Bahrain Endurance’s race weekend by taking his first Ironman 70.3 win in Texas against a highly competitive field.