ULTRAMAN TRIATHLON
Fithian, Colting ahead of the pack

Advertiser Staff

American Lauren Fithian took over the women's lead after Brazilian Marise Nunes withdrew yesterday during the second stage of the Ultraman Triathlon World Championship on the Big Island.

Jonas Colting of Sweden breezed through the 171-mile bike ride from Volcano to Hawi to maintain his lead in the men's competition. Colting completed the course in 7 hours, 33 minutes, 36 seconds. His two-stage total of 14:27:11 leads Canada's Seth Bitting (15:37:26) by more than an hour.

Friday's bike ride through the cold and rain apparently took its toll on Nunes, who gracefully withdrew during yesterday's ride.

That left an opening for Fithian, who pedaled for 10:34:34. Her total time of 21:13:09 leads Leslie Holton (22:35:12) by more than an hour.

Today's final stage — a 52.4-mile double-marathon run from Hawi to the beach at the Old Airport State Park — starts at 6 a.m.

The course record for the Ultraman Triathlon is 21:41:22, which was set by Holger Spiegel in 1998.

Colting needs a 7:14 double marathon today to break the record. His best time for the marathon in an Ironman competition is 2:48, so a record is within his grasp.

"I took it a bit easy today, so that I'd have something left for tomorrow," Colting said. "Running can be my best event, so we'll see what happens."