ST. GEORGE — Sam Long is the men’s champ and Jeanni Metzler the women’s winner of the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship triathlon.

Long took control of the race with a big move on the climb up the Snow Canyon State Park ascent, creating a wide gap over Trevor Foley (2nd) and Jackson Laundry (3rd).

Metzler and eventual runner-up Skye Moench were virtually even during the transition from bike to run. But Metzler pulled away in the early stages of the 13.1-mile run to capture the title. Finishing third was Danielle Lewis.

See details below for how the race unfolded. A full report for both the men’s and women’s races will be published later on the St. George News website.

The 1.2-mile swim got underway at 6:50 a.m. as some 2,000 athletes began their three-sport journey, which will end later today in downtown St. George after the swim, 56-mile bike section and the 13.1-mile run.

7: 15 a.m.: First out of the water

Two Americans emerged from the waters of Sand Hollow Reservoir to lead the race.

In the professional men’s division, Marc Dubrick was first out of the water, covering the 1.2-mile swim in 23 minutes, 45 seconds. Lauren Branden, of Park City, Utah, leads the pro women, having covered the swim in 26:46.

Gillespie, however, took over the lead about 15 minutes into the bike section, and gave way to Same Long as the riders pedaled along state Route 7.

On the bikes; pedaling hard

Gillespie overtook Long just before the men’s leaders approached Washington City. Meanwhile, Branden continues to lead by 16 seconds over her nearest challenger Metzler.

Making a move in the men’s race and moving up is Lionel Sanders. The Canadian athlete, who has won 30 70.3 events, steadily is gaining ground on the leaders as they have now passed through Washington City and now are in St. George.

8:30 a.m.: Metzler now in the lead

Along Red Cliffs Drive, Metzler overtook Branden in the pro women’s race. However, Branden remains only seconds behind as the lead women make their way into St. George.

8:45 a.m.: Leaders start Snow Canyon climb

Long has increased his lead on Gillespie, while Jackson Laundry, Sanders and Trevor Foley give chase, trailing by nearly 2 minutes. The men have begun the climb up Snow Canyon, and Long is pulling away from the rest of the field.

Meanwhile, Branden has overtaken Metzler while the two have twice traded place. Skye Moench and Rachel McBride are their closest competitors, making their way toward Snow Canyon as well.

9:10: Big moves for leaders

Long put the hammer down on the climb, establishing a wide margin between himself and Gillespie as Laundry, Sanders and Foley trail. The leaders have completed the arduous climb up and out of Snow Canyon and have turned onto state Route 18 and are heading back to St. George and the downtown transition to the final segment– the 13.1-mile run.

Moench has taken over the lead for the women, having passed Branden and Metzler on the approach to Snow Canyon. Known for her prowess on the bike, Moench will attempt to distance herself from Metzler, whose strength is the run.

9:30 a.m.: Long holds 4-minute lead

Long completed a seamless transition from the biking section to the run. Long wasted no time climbing off the bike, sliding on his running shoes and then adjusting his competitor number, socks and hat as he made his way through the heart of downtown St. George.

In the women’s race, it appears it will come down to Moench and Metzler, who are dead even in the transition area and are heading out onto the running course. Anna Bergsten of Sweden, however, made up a lot of time on the bike section and now is in fourth place, while Brandon, the early leader, has slipped to fifth. McBride remains fourth.

10:10 a.m.: The final stage — 13.1 miles

Long is averaging 5:30 per mile and continues to maintain a 2-minute, 40-second lead. his nearest competitor is Foley, followed by Laundry and Sanders.

Metzler has created distance between herself and the rest of the top professional women. Moench, who led the majority of the bike section, is currently second, just over a minute behind Metzler, while Bergsten, McBride and Danielle Lewis are giving chase.

10:34 a.m.: Long, Metzler cross the line

Sam Long is the winner — the professional men’s champion of the Ironman 70.3 North American World Championship triathlon. The Boulder, Colorado, resident, finished in 3 hours, 43 minutes, 4 seconds. Finishing second is Trevor Foley, and third goes to Jackson Laundry.

Jeannie Metzler pulled away from the field during the run to win the women’s professional class, completing the three-discipline triathlon in 4:16.42. Metzler and Moench entered to final transition area dead even, but Metzler was 12 seconds faster getting out of the gate and extended her lead over the course of the run. Lewis, meanwhile, charged her way onto the podium with a very strong final phase.

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