Frommhold and Corbin win Ironman Arizona

With the words “follow me” written on the back of his race outfit, Germany’s Nils Frommhold made sure everyone did to win his first Ironman title in his first ever Ironman race today in Tempe, Arizona.

Frommhold, who made the switch from ITU racing to Ironman this year after failing to qualify for the Olympics, led the swim (48:19), then biked 4:22:45 to drop back into third position (behind Americans Andrew Starykowicz and TJ Tollakson), but he threw down a race best 2:48:09 marathon to win in 8:03:16. In seventh after the bike, Australia’s Paul Matthews ran 2:48:30 to finish a close second in 8:05:01. Tollakson, who biked a second best 4:19:03, took third (8:07:39).

Top 5 Men

1. Nils Frommhold GER 8:03:16

2. Paul Matthews AUS 8:05:01

3. TJ Tollakson USA  8:07:39

4. Tyler Butterfield USA 8:14:44

5. Jarmo Hast FIN 8:16:12

In the women’s race, American Linsey Corbin, who finished second at Ironman Arizona for the past three years, finally rose to the top of the podium. Corbin steadily charged through the field to earn her victory. She swam 59:11 to exit Tempe Town Lake in eighth, rode up to third thanks to a 4:51:34 bike split, and she chased down fellow American Meredith Kessler with a 3:05:57 marathon to earn her third career Ironman title in 9:01:44. Kessler settled for second in 9:06:44, and Great Britain’s Corinne Abraham crossed the finish line in third (9:15:13). Victoria’s Sara Gross used a 3:07:09 run to move up from tenth after the bike to claim fourth in 9:18:07. Ironman World Champion Leanda Cave, ratified her 2013 Ironman World Championship slot early by crossing the line in sixth (9:24:54).

Top 5 Women

1. Linsey Corbin USA 9:01:44

2. Meredith Kessler USA 9:06:44

3. Corinne Abraham GBR 9:15:13

4. Sara Gross CAN 9:18:07

5. Mirjam Weerd NLD 9:24:30