Middletown Athletes Complete Amica Ironman Triathlon

On Sunday in Providence, more than 1,300 athletes ages 18 to 74 entered the water at the 2011 Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island.

Among the overall finishers, top professionals David Kahn (USA) and Magali Tisseyre (CAN) celebrated victories, crossing the finish line in 4:00:52 and 4:27:08, respectively.

Luke Willenberg was the top Rhode Island finisher. The 29-year-old from Barrington finished in 4:46:25.

Among this year's local participants were Middletown residents Ray Cournoyer and Brian Hennessey.

Hennessey finished with a time of 5:36:49 in the age 50-54 age group, placing 390 overall and 17th in his division. Cournoyer finished with a time of 6:25:22, placing 877th overall and 117th in the age 40-44 division.

The Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island course was set in Providence and surrounding communities. The race began with a swim at Lincoln Woods on Olney Pond and then took athletes through the northwestern part of Rhode Island on the bike. 

The two-loop run led competitors along the historic East Side of Providence and downtown Providence, finishing with the State Capitol and Providence Place Mall as the backdrop.  

Offering a professional prize purse of $15,000, the 2011 Amica Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island awarded a total of 50 age group qualifying slots for the 2011 Marine Corps Ironman World Championship 70.3, to be held  on Sept. 11 at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nev. 

Visit www.ironmanrhodeisland.com for event information and official results.