Bracht and Wellington set records in Arizona

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 8^th 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 8:11:44    4:29  Lowe, Tom GBR    56:37     2:54  4:22:51     1:12  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 9:15:01   38:49 Kessler, Meredith USA    51:21  3:17  5:07:46    1:07  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 USA  1:02:50     3:00  5:01:45     1:28  3:24:51