Some of the fittest athletes in the world would challenge themselves in south-eastern China, during the Ironman 70.3 contest in Xiamen. The competitors would have to travel more 113 kilometres by swimming, cycling and running -- taking about 4 hours for the best of the bunch to finish.
The competition has drawn 2179 athletes from 57 countries and regions to take part. This is the first full registration competition in China since the activity was brough in here.
At half past nine in the morning on Sunday, the men's competition started first. The athletes would have to cover a distance of 113 kilometers in three disciplines. The competitors start with 1.9 kilometers in the water.
Josh Amberger of Australia would break away from the main group to take the lead after the swimming leg of the race as he only used 26 minutes and nine seconds.
After that is 90 kilometers on the bike -- the route is set up around the coastline of Xiamen. The participants can see the beautiful scenery of the area.
Amberger stays in front during the final session of the competition, and holds that advantage to finish the race, and seals the victory in three hours, 56 minutes and 51 seconds. While two-time champion Tim Don takes second.
For women's part, US's Jeanni Seymour did not perform excellent in the swimming part as she only took the sixth with 32 minutes and 33 seconds.
But Jeanni Seymour did quite well in the following two items as he usded the least time in both bicycle and running, while these two items helped her to be the champion and the second went to Sarah Piampiano also from US.