teamTBB’s James Cunnama broke the run course record on his way to a strong second place finish at this weekend’s 70.3 series opener in Buffalo City, South Africa.

In a closely fought race James emerged from the water a touch over 2 minutes down on lead swimmer South African Anton Storm and 1.49 behind the UK’s Fraser Cartmell.  Once on the bike James lost a further 2.49 to the hard charging leader, Cartmell.  From the start of the run however he would only gain time back and closed out the race with a stunning 1.14.29 run split which put him just 1 minute 40 seconds down on victor Cartmell.  Brad Storm faded on the run but held on to sufficiently to finish third.

The women’s race went to ITU specialist and local favourite Mari Rabie who powered into the lead during the closing km’s of the run with a lightening fast 1.19.35 split.  Germany’s Sandra Wallenhorst was hot on her heels in second with Lucie Zelenkova rounding out the podium on the day.  All three girls were faster than Zelenkova’s race record set in 2009.

Results