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May 25, 2008 – Aurora, Ont. Aurora triathlete, Paolina Allan finished sixth in a very competitive women’s race at the Ironman Lanzarote in the Spanish, Canary Islands today. The result qualifies here for the Ironman World Championships, in Kona, Hawaii, USA this October. It was the first time that Allan has competed at the Ironman Lanzarote event – generally regarded as the toughest Ironman race in the world. It’s even harder than the legendary Ironman Hawaii race. Allan, who races triathlons professionally for the U.S. based Timex Triathlon Team, finished the race over the classic Ironman distance, which consists of a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike leg and then a 42 km marathon run in 10hrs and 28 min. It’s the bike leg at Lanzarote that really sets the race apart and makes it that much harder – typically it is very hot, windy and very hilly with much of the route over the barren lava fields of the Island of Lanzarote. “The winds were unbelievable”, said Allan afterwards. “And they said this was a calm year”! Normally strong on the bike Allan, had some problems: “My back started acting up part way through the bike ride and I had to ride at about ¾ effort to keep it under control. I was a bit disappointed about my bike time” Fortunately, Allan who works full time running her own Hair Styling & Design business, was able to rally on the run, and run into 6th place with one of the faster marathon run splits among the women, despite the heat and buffeting winds.
It was a good day for Canada at Ironman Lanzarote, as Allan’s countrywoman and fellow Toronto area based triathlete, Tara Norton, finished in third place after leading for a long way on the bike. The race was won, by Scotland’s, Bella Comerford.
With the Ironman Hawaii World Championships qualification out of the way, Allan has some flexibility in what she will do for the rest of the summer racing season. Last year she had to cancel her trip to the World Championships due to a foot injury that prevented her from doing any running. That was a blessing in disguise though, as it gave her a chance to get into bike road racing – something she had wanted to do for some time. Next up for Allan, after a bit of rest and recovery from her efforts at Ironman Lanzarote, will be some bike road racing. This year she will be racing for the Cyclissimo Bike Shop and Club in Aurora with a focus on the Canadian Road Race Championships and the Individual Time Trial (ITT) which will be in St. Georges, Que. in early July. Last year, Allan was the Canadian National Master’s Woman’s Champion in the ITT and finished in third place in the road race.
After a bit of a road race focus it will then be time to get ready for the Ironman World Championships in Kona. “ I have qualified for this race a number of times, as an Age-Group athlete and as a Professional”, says Allan, “ but this will be the first time that I am going to get to go. After conquering the brutal Ironman Lanzarote course, Hawaii should be easy”, she concludes!
For Information on Paolina Allan, please contact Steve Fleck at 416-888-7324 or steve@nineteenwetsuits.com.
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