GB athlete Chrissie Wellington has broken the Ford Ironman World Championship course record in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday 10 October. The 32 year old from Thetford in Norfolk also claimed her third consecutive victory in one of the toughest endurance challenges in sport.

Wellington covered the 2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run over in a course record time 08h:54m.02s.

Despite not leading from the start, Wellington’s 54 minute swim was enough to rank her eighth going into T1. On the bike leg, Wellington turned on the style and it was only a matter of time before Paula Newby-Fraser’s course record was broken.

Wellington, who was two-time defending Champion, proceeded to ride away from the rest of the field, finishing the bike leg with a lead of over 11 minutes on her closest competitor. Incredibly she was more than 30 minutes up on some of the favourites to challenge her third consecutive win, including fellow GB athlete Leanda Cave.

During the marathon run, Wellington had to endure some tough miles, however having redefined Ironman since she first won in 2007, the Norfolk athlete cemented herself in the record books with a memorable performance.

Talking after the race, Wellington commented: “This truly was the toughest day in sport. I am so honoured and proud to now hold the course record. I was determined to race with all the fire and passion inside me and I am delighted to be able to take home the title once again.”

Director of Performance at British Triathlon, Heather Williams added: “Chrissie continues to get faster and faster, and to break new ironman ground. I congratulate her on another truly outstanding performance.”

In the men’s event, Craig Alexander from Australia retained his title. The highest placed GB athlete was Philip Graves from York. Graves, the youngest ever winner of an Ironman impressed on the bike leg where he took an early lead eventually finishing in 54th position, with a time of 09h:16m.02s.

Women’s Results (unofficial)

1 08:54:02 Chrissie Wellington, GBR 54:31 swim; 4:52:07 bike; 3:03:06 run
2 09:13:59 Mirinda Carfrae, AUS 58:45 swim; 5:14:18 bike; 2:56:51 run
3 09:15:28 Virginia Berasategui, ESP 58:52 swim; 5:01:42 bike; 3:10:43 run

Men’s Results
1 08:20:21 1 Craig Alexander AUS 50:57 swim; 4:37:33 bike; 2:48:05 run
2 08:22:56 24 Chris Lieto, USA 51:07 swim; 4:25:11 bike; 3:02:35 run
3 08:24:32 54 Andreas Raelert, GER 51:00 swim; 4:38:01 bike; 2:51:05 run

For full results of all the athletes visit www.ironman.com

(Courtesy of British Triathlon)

Tags: Triathlon News

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