Another year has been and gone, and in yesterday's race both the men's and women's Champions defended their titles. The men's was a great race, with American uber-biker Chris Lieto crushing the bike course in 4:25:10, but ultimately finishing 2nd to Australian Craig Alexander, who ran a race best 2:48:05 marathon to take his second successive title. Germany's Andreas Raelert rounded out the podium.
In the women's race, Great Britain's Chrissie Wellington won her third successive title in a race record time of 8:54:02, beating the previous record held by Paula Newby-Fraser. Ironman rookie Mirinda Carfrae ran a race record 2:56:51 to come second, nearly 20 minutes behind Wellington. Spain's Virginia Berasategui finished 3rd.
There's no doubt that the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii is the pinnacle of the sport of triathlon, the world's best triathletes competing with the same goal - the Title. Whether a Professional or an Age-Grouper, come October, Hawaii's where you simply have to be. Today I can only imagine the feeling of being on the Big Island and competing, but next year, I hope to find out first hand.
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