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A 70.3-mile test of endurance came down to a desperate dash down rain-soaked 8th Street on Saturday in Downtown Boise.
The exhilarating and heartbreaking finish saw current Ironman world champion Craig Alexander catch and pass Chris Lieto in the final 50 yards to win the Ironman 70.3 Boise men's title and $5,000.
Alexander, a 36-year old Australian, trailed Lieto through most of a 1.2-mile swim in Lucky Peak Reservoir, 56-mile bike ride through South Boise and 13.1-mile run on the Greenbelt and Downtown. But the world champion made up 5 minutes, 37 seconds on the run course and edged Lieto in 3:51:46.
"That's honestly one of the most exciting races I've ever been a part of," Alexander said. "It felt like we were in slow motion at the end. ... It was just all heart and it was a great finish."
For Lieto, the scene was all too familiar. The 37-year-old Californian led last year's inaugural Ironman 70.3 Boise heading into the run course but was passed with about four miles to go and finished second. He also finished runner-up to Alexander two weeks ago at Ironman 70.3 Hawaii.
"Craig is the best in the world," said Lieto, who finished in 3:51:48 and earned $3,000. "He is the only guy I know who can dig the way he digs.
"With him, I knew it wasn't going to be a win until I crossed that finish line."
Alexander now has won all four 70.3 races he has entered this year. After the race, the Australian consoled Lieto as the two lay side by side on the rain-soaked pavement near the finish line.
"To be honest, (Lieto) was probably the best triathlete out there today," Alexander said. "I just have this competitive spirit where I never think I'm beat, ever."
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