Ironman World Championship
It proved a record-setting day for Australians but a tough day at the office for the kiwis in the cauldron that is the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii today.
Craig Alexander grabbed his third Ironman World Championship in stellar style, winning in a new race record and becoming the first person to win both the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 world titles in the same year.
The Australian enjoyed a remarkable day to win in 8:03.56, which was 12 seconds inside the 1996 record of Belgian Luc van Lierde.
It proved an Australian one-two with Sydney’s Pete Jacobs finishing second in a magnificent 8:09.11, on the back of a stunning 2:42.29 marathon with Germany’s Andreas Raelert, runner-up last year, finishing third.
“It started with a dream. I just can’t believe it,” said an emotional Alexander. “I was happy to win it once but three times I can’t tell you what it feels like but three times is unreal, I can’t tell you what it feels like.
“This sport has given me so much. Today was the performance that I’ve been dreaming of.”
It is not such a good day for 10-time Ironman New Zealand champion Cameron Brown who was forced to withdraw on the run after being well back throughout.
Three-time winner Chrissie Wellington made it four in the women’s race in a superb 8:55.08 which was just a minute outside her own race record. She withstood a blistering marathon run record be defending champion Mirinda Carfrae to win by just under three minutes.
Carfrae, the Australian who finished runner-up at Ironman New Zealand this year, ran 2:52.41` to break her own marathon run record at the race with her training partner Leanda Cave (GBR), both coached by Siri Lindley, finishing third.
Wellington was pushed to the limit today and paid tribute to her rival Carfrae.
“My victory is also hers,” said Wellington.”This race means more to me than anything. It's the sweetest victory - I just proved that anything is possible. There were times that my body was going to give up on me. I think the hardest victories are definitely the sweetest. To be crowned the Ford Ironman World Champion is the greatest honour."
Leading New Zealander was Samantha Warriner, who finished in 17th place in her Ironman debut in 9:43.25. Warriner had a solid swim in 58:44, worked her way into the top eight at one stage on the bike in 5:04.09 but suffered, as so many do in the heat first time at Hawaii, with a 3:31.38 marathon.
Six-time Ironman New Zealand champion Jo Lawn, who had prepared for last month’s ironman 70.3 (Half) world championship where she was fifth, had a tough day in 19th place.
Results, elite men: Craig Alexander (AUS) 8:03.56, 1 (race record); Pete Jacobs (AUS) 8:09.11, 2; Andreas Raelert (GER) 8:11.07, 3; Dirk Bockel (LUX) 8:12.58, 4; Timo Bracht (GER) 8:20.12, 5. Also: Cameron Brown (NZL) dnf.
Women: Chrissie Wellington (GBR) 8:55.08, 1; Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 8:57.57, 2; Leanda Cave (GBR) 9:03.29, 3; Rachel Joyce (GBR) 9:06.57, 4; Caroline Steffen (SUI) 9:07.32, 5. Also New Zealanders: Samantha Warriner 9:43.25, 17; Jo Lawn 9:56.15, 19.