PROVIDENCE, RI (July 8, 2012) - Paul Ambrose (AUS) and Caitlin Snow (USA) won the 2012 Amica IRONMAN 70.3 Rhode Island today, crossing the finish line at the State House in 3:54:29 and 4:32:50, respectively. Ambrose, 28, and Brockton, MA native Snow, 30, were among more than 1,100 athletes ranging in age from 18 to 75 who competed in the fifth annual event.

Ambrose is no stranger to the Amica IRONMAN 70.3 RI. He has been a fixture at this race four of the last five years, finishing in the top three on three previous occasions, including runner-up in 2011. Today he recorded his first victory at the Rhode Island event.

"Finally, I got the win," beamed Ambrose. "This is my favorite race. The course is beautiful. I felt great out there and I am happy to finally get the win Rhode Island," said Ambrose. "I'm thrilled."

Snow, who grew up just 45 minutes away, had a large support system of friends and family in attendance. Several family members, including her mom, also competed today.

"This is a local race for me, which was awesome. So many of my friends and family members got to come and cheer for me today," said Snow. "I loved it."

Robert Straznitskas of Tiverton was the top Rhode Island finisher today with a time of 4:48:11.

Hundreds of spectators roared as the athletes began their 1.2-mile swim in 82.5 degree Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods. Ambrose and Kevin Collington (USA) came out of the water side by side.

Ambrose, the 2011 Amica IRONMAN 70.3 RI runner-up, took a commanding lead through the 56-mile bike course, averaging just under 26 miles an hour. Ambrose, who captured the 2012 IRONMAN Australia, powered through the bike and entered into T2 with a 10-minute lead. Ambrose powered through 13.1-mile run and never looked back. He ran a 1:18:06 run-split on his way to the Amica IRONMAN 70.3 RI title.

Top five professional men's results:

1. Paul Ambrose AUS 3:54:29
2. Maxim Kriat URK 4:05:03
3. Mike Caiazzo USA 4:07:14
4. Jozsef Major HUN 4:08:53
5. Chris Bagg USA 4:11:46

After swimming with the lead male contenders, Dede Griesbauer (USA), who hails from nearby Boston, MA, exited the water first and led a solid pack of female professionals, including Nina Kraft (GER) and Snow (USA) into T1. Griesbauer, in her first race back after suffering six broken bones in a crash while competing in an Ironman in Germany exactly one year ago today, held a five-minute lead over Snow into T2. Snow, known for her running abilities, made her move nine miles into the run and never relinquished the lead. The top female runner in the sport, Snow captured title with a time of 4:32:50.

"I was six or seven minutes back going into T2." said Snow. "The run is definitely my strength. I am pretty confident in my run and knew I had a chance to pull ahead and win, but I'm never 100 percent comfortable until I cross the finish."

Top five professional women's results:

1. Caitlin Snow USA 4:32:50
2. Annie Gervais CAN 4:40:43
3. Miranda Tomenson-Bhar CAN 4:40:58
4. Dede Griesbauer USA 4:41:09
5. Nina Kraft GER 4:43:04

The 2012 Amica IRONMAN 70.3 Rhode Island is one of 60 events in the global IRONMAN 70.3 Series. The course included the swim in Olney Pond in Lincoln Woods, followed by a scenic 56-mile bike course through the northwestern part of Rhode Island, using some of the area's popular bike routes and quiet farm roads that pass by many small ponds and reservoirs. The two-loop, half-marathon run course led athletes through the historic East Side of Providence, through the Brown University campus and downtown Providence's business district. The race finished against a backdrop of the Rhode Island State Capitol Building and the Providence Place Mall.

Visit www.ironmanrhodeisland.com for event information and official results. For photos or other media-related inquiries, contact Patrick Alberts at 813-525-0482 (M) or Patrick.Alberts@ironman.com.