1 week Ago By Amber Coakley
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- In an impressing display of athleticism and determination, a pair of Canadians came out ahead at the IRONMAN Pro Series 70.3 in Oceanside on Saturday.
Lionel Sanders and Paula Findlay not only secured their victories and prestigious titles but also earned 2,500 Pro Series points each, along with a $7,500 prize.The scenic coastal city in San Diego's North County, known as a mecca for triathlon enthusiasts, hosted to the third race of the 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series. Dozens of professional athletes gathered to face off in the challenging event.
In the end, it was Sanders who took home his fourth win in Oceanside, while Findlay made a strong return to the top of the podium with her second victory at the event.SpaceX’s ‘Dragon’ spacecraft splashes down off the Oceanside coastSandersLionel Sanders is seen winning IRONMAN in Oceanside on April, 5, 2025. (Getty Images for IRONMAN)Sanders, who previously won the event in 2016, 2017 and 2024, completed the race with a time of three hours, 47 minutes and one second.
The 37-year-old showed his trademark resilience, overcoming a swim deficit and a hard-fought bike segment to power through with a blazing run."I went back to old school swim deficits. Don’t get me wrong, I am not content with that, but it just means I was going to have to suffer more on the run," Sanders said, while recounting the race.
"The biggest thing I have done this season is I have prepared properly. There was nothing I did today that I had not prepared for, so there was no fear. I was able to race as hard as I possibly could and even when I got off the bike I was still totally in the game.
"Top 5 Male Professional Results – IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside PlaceName (Country)SwimBikeRunTotal TimePro Series Points (unofficial)Event Prize Money1Lionel Sanders (CAN)26:002:05:371:11:283:47:012,500 $7,5002Rudy von Berg (USA)23:532:05:571:14:263:47:422,459$5,0003Gustav Iden (NOR)23:592:07:111:13:343:48:062,435$3,7504Seth Rider (USA)22:542:07:591:14:523:49:182,363$3,0005Ben Kanute (USA)23:302:07:271:14:553:49:242,357$2,000(Provided by RONMAN Pro Series 70.3)$10M Scratchers ticket sold at market in East CountyFindlayPaula Findlay is seen winning IRONMAN in Oceanside on April, 5, 2025.
(Getty Images for IRONMAN)As for 35-year-old Findlay, who previously won in 2021, she crossed the finish line with a time of four hours, 16 minutes and 50 seconds. Her time was just 23 seconds ahead of Jackie Hering, who finished in second place. Findlay’s victory was especially sweet after a challenging bike portion.
“I got a little caught up on the bike and wasn’t feeling good,” said Findlay after the race. “So I had to really fight hard on the back end of the run. That was probably one of my best [IRONMAN] 70.
3 runs. That was the silver lining of not having such a good bike ride is that I had a little more on the run. I am super happy and hearing that Lionel won is sweet!”Top 5 Female Professional Results – IRONMAN 70.
3 Oceanside PlaceName (Country)SwimBikeRunTotal TimePro Series Points (unofficial)Event Prize Money1Paul Findlay (CAN)26:222:24:351:20:114:16:502,500$7,5002Jackie Hering (USA)27:052:24:001:20:144:17:092,481$5,0003Danielle Lewis (USA)31:002:22:591:18:304:18:182,412$3,7504Tamara Jewett (CAN)28:192:29:511:17:004:20:592,251 $3,0005Kaidi Kivioja (EST)28:202:25:101:21:174:21:212,229$2,000(Provided by RONMAN Pro Series 70.3)Saturday’s race marked an unforgettable chapter in the IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside saga, with Sanders and Findlay’s impressive performances setting the bar high for future races in the Pro Series.
Their victories not only highlight their incredible athleticism but also showcase the fierce competition in the world of professional triathlons..
