Faris al-Sultan wins Sri Lanka’s inaugural Ironman 70.3

Colombo played host to the first ever Ironman 70.3 in Sri Lanka on Sunday, drawing over 700 athletes from 35 countries to take part in the grueling competition.

The 2005 Ironman World Champion and 2011 Ironman European Champion, Faris Al-Sultan won the event crossing the line in 3:51:39.

The Ironman 70.3 event features consisted of a 1.2 mile swim in the Indian Ocean off Gall Face green, followed by a three-lap 56 mile bike ride and finish with a 13.1 mile run, four loops along the promenade of the Galle Face Green towards the Navy lighthouse.

Lucie Zelenkova of the Cezch Republic won the women’s race in 4:30:17.   According to the organizers, the 25 percent of the athletes are participating in the event for the first time.

The oldest male athlete to come across the finish line was 17 times Ironman, 75-year-old Yee Sze Mun of Malaysia while the youngest is from Sri Lanka, 21-year old V.R. Gunasena.