Jessica Jacobs had a point to prove. She is a three-time Ironman champion. Posted a personal best in Ironman Florida last year, running the quickest marathon by an American women in a triathlon en route to that sub 9-hour win. But she had yet to take a 70.3 title.

Out of the water first for the ladies was Amanda Stevens in 25:04 with a 90-second lead on Nina Kraft. Jessica was more than 8 minutes back.

Stevens held the lead on the bike and rode alone for the whole 56 miles. Jennifer Tetrick showed her biking strength and rode up into second place. Essentially maintaining her position on the bike, Jessica didn’t appear to be in the hunt to start the run.

As Stevens started to slow on the run it looked like it would be Tetricks’ day. And it was, for a short while, until Jacobs came from behind to blitz past.

Posting a run split more than 5 minutes faster than her closest competitor, Jessica took the win, her first 70.3 title. With enough of a lead to enjoy the moment, she soaked in the packed finish line, hi-fiving right up to the tape.

It looks like the new location for Ironman 70.3 Florida is set to be a hit for the years to come. Eva Lake Park is the perfect setting for a great triathlon atmosphere. Long after the professionals finished, the entertainment was still going and the throngs of people were still shopping and cheering for their friends and family out on the course.

But the day deservedly goes to Jessica Jacobs and Lance Armstrong (winning his first title in his return to triathlon). Armstrong said in an interview a while back: “you bike for show and run for dough.” Both he and Jacobs proved that today. 

Originally from: http://ironman.com/events/ironman70.3/florida70.3/lance-armstrong-blazes-through-in-345-jessica-jacobs-runs-to-the-win-in-florida#ixzz1vd9q0zXk