NOVEMBER 16, 2012

Button a big hit in Malibu

Jenson Button took a new approach to bringing F1 to the USA when he competed in last Sunday's Malibu half marathon and finished on the podium, third overall from 1880 starters! By Tony Dodgins (@TonyDodgins)

By Tony Dodgins (@TonyDodgins)

Jenson Button took a new approach to bringing F1 to the USA when he competed in last Sunday's Malibu half marathon and finished on the podium, third overall from 1880 starters!

Button, who is a keen triathlete, competed in his first ever half marathon on a hilly but scenic course in the beachfront city of northwestern Los Angeles.

"Not that many people in America know F1," Button said ahead of the sport's inaugural race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas, "But those people that do know it, really know it! During the race a few people said, 'Wow, Jenson Button! And that was looking at the back of my head, which was impressive!"

In fact, most of the field was looking at the back of Button's head. He finished the race third in 1h21m41s, beaten only by two professional athletes, Crispin Lazarit and Brendan Brazier. Canadian Brazier, who finished two minutes in front of Button is in fact quite well know as one of the few professional athletes with a 100% plant-based vegan diet.

"It was a tough course but really enjoyable and I certainly wasn't expecting a podium!" Button said.