Olympic champion beats SA’s Murray in San Diego MyZA

In only his second ITU World Series race in San Diego, South Africa’s Richard Murray delivered one of his best performances with just the Olympic champion getting the better of him.

Murray finished in 1 hour 47 minutes and 38 seconds – only 22 seconds slower than Alistair Brownlee.

Brownlee won the second race in the ITU World Series in 1:47.16. Joao Silva (1:47.52) took the final spot on the podium.

“I’m really happy with my performance today. I wasn’t sure what to expect from myself because it was my first big race of the season,” said Murray. “I was hoping the most to see an improvement in my swimming.”

Murray got out of the water 50 seconds behind the leaders.

“The swim was one of the roughest I have done in such a long time. I went hard on the first lap and was well up in the field halfway through the second lap.

“Then my arms died a slow death on me.”

By the end of the first lap on the bike the chasers managed to close the gap to 36 seconds.

“In the second group we were working really hard together and with the help of Jan Frodeno, Clark Ellis and Steffan Justus we managed to close the gap by the fifth lap.”

Murray had fast transition and soon found himself in third place on the run. “I had a controlled first 2km on the run.”

Brownlee attacked early on and Silva followed, but by the second kilometer Murray reeled him in.

“Alistair was just flying in front. I decided to just keep my cool and in the end was able to hold off the guys behind me despite my legs starting to cease up in the last 3km.”

Murray could not have been happier and more satisfied.

“Second place today is amazing performance for me. It is the same place I started last year in Sydney. So let’s hope I have another podium coming up soon.”

In only his second season on the ITU World Series, Murray has already made some good memories in San Diego. Last year in his debut he won bronze.

“I really like this event. It is kind of special. Running around the beach with the people coming out of their houses to cheer us on is something different.”