Bracht and Wellington set records in Arizona
Wurtele gets 5th, Toth 10th, and Rapp 4th.
Cool conditions allowed Germany’s Timo Bracht and Great Britain’s Chrissie Wellington to win Ironman Arizona today in record times.
Wellington’s time of 8:36:13 smashed the previous course record by Canada’s Samantha McGlone (9:09:19), and set the new world’s best time at an Ironman event (previously held by Germany’s Sandra Wallenhorst – 8:47:26 at Ironman Austria in 2008 – Wellington also clocked an 8:19:13 at Challenge Roth in July). Wellington swam 51:56, biked 4:47:06, and ran 2:52:56 to finish 8th overall. America’s Linsey Corbin also finished under the previous course record for second place (9:05:33), followed by Great Britain’s Leanda Cave (9:13:50). Kelowna’s Heather Wurtele crossed the line in fifth (9:19:10).
“I am so proud of what I achieved today, this was my Kona,” said Wellington. “I wanted to prove my fitness. Not racing in Kona was a huge disappointment. It was a real honour to race here. It was probably the best crowd support I’ve ever received.”
Bracht headed out onto the bike in tenth position, rode himself into the lead, then built on a 26 second lead after T2 to take the win in the new course record time of 8:07:16. The next two men also finished under Jordan Rapp’s previous course best of 8:13:35. Denmark’s Rasmus Henning (8:10:58), who was given a 4 minute penalty for drafting, and Great Britain’s Tom Lowe (8:11:44) who ran the top marathon of 2:48:12 in his Ironman debut. Vancouver’s Anthony Toth crossed the line as the tenth pro male (8:46:57).
“It was pretty hard, we had a lot of crosswinds on the way back. On the run I was alone,” said Bracht who swam 51:24, biked 4:23:18, and ran 2:48:59. “I struggled between 22 and 28 kilometres but the last 10 kilometres is always my fastest. I did my best, I always believe in me.”
After a near death hit and run accident eight months ago, the USA’s Jordan Rapp, the defending champion, finished fourth (8:16:45), just 9:29 back of Bracht.
“I was overwhelmed at the finish line, I never expected to be here at the start line ever again. The support I had out there was inspirational,” said Rapp. “I felt great at the beginning, but I didn’t have the miles in my legs but it was a fantastic day.”
Top 10 Pro Men
1 8:07:16  Bracht, Timo GER   51:24    2:19  4:23:18    1:17 2:48:59
2 8:10:58   3:42 Henning, Rasmus DNK 47:58  2:43 4:30:35 1:09 2:48:35
3 8:11:44Â Â Â 4:29 Â Lowe, Tom GBRÂ Â Â 56:37Â Â Â Â 2:54Â 4:22:51Â Â Â Â 1:12Â 2:48:12
4 8:16:45   9:29  Rapp, Jordan USA   51:57    2:30 4:22:38   1:40 2:58:02
5 8:26:15  18:59 Major, Jozsef  HUN   58:40    2:46 4:23:16   2:17 2:59:18
6 8:33:08  25:53 Reed, Matty    USA   48:02    2:41 4:40:56   1:51 2:59:39
7 8:33:28  26:13 Longree, Max   GER   56:33    2:31 4:42:22   1:16 2:50:48
8 8:41:18  34:03 Mikelson, Ian   USA   51:15    2:53 4:42:24   1:09 3:03:39
9 8:43:23  36:08 McDaniel, Joe USA   51:07    2:26 4:46:44   1:21 3:01:47
10 8:46:57  39:41 Toth, Anthony CAN   56:36    3:02 4:42:35   2:04 3:02:43
Top 10 Pro Women
1 8:36:13 Wellington, Chrissie   GBR 51:56   2:49 4:47:06   1:29 2:52:56
2 9:05:33  29:21 Corbin, Linsey USA   59:35    3:12 4:58:13   1:05 3:03:29
3 9:13:50  37:38 Cave, Leanda  GBR 51:13    2:51 4:59:55   1:40 3:18:13
4 9:15:01Â Â 38:49 Kessler, Meredith USAÂ Â Â 51:21Â 3:17Â 5:07:46 Â Â Â 1:07Â 3:11:33
5 9:19:10  42:58 Wurtele, Heather CAN   56:34  2:57 4:59:34  1:22 3:18:46
6 9:22:38  46:25 Csomor, Erika  HUN 1:00:04    3:32 5:09:24   1:06 3:08:33
7 9:24:11  47:58 Madison, Mackenzie USA 1:07:02  3:40 5:02:00 1:34 3:09:57
8 9:29:15  53:02 bij de Vaate, Heleen  NLD 1:07:05   3:09 5:04:40  1:30 3:12:54
9 9:31:22  55:10 Bromme, Uli  USA 1:00:08    3:22 5:12:13    1:24 3:14:17
10 9:33:53 57:41 Harrison, Lauren USAÂ 1:02:50Â Â Â Â 3:00Â 5:01:45Â Â Â Â 1:28Â 3:24:51