Mary Beth Ellis and Ivan Rana conquer Cozumel

Ivan Rana of Spain and American Mary Beth Ellis won today’s fourth edition of Ironman Cozumel.

American Brandon Marsh led all competitors out of the Caribbean Sea in 50:08, but Luxembourg’s Dirk Bockel soon took over and hammered out a dominating 4:28:39 ride to take a close to 7 minute lead over Luke McKenzie (AUS) heading onto the run.

Despite being 9:05 behind, Rana, the 2002 ITU World Champion ran the top marathon of 2:44:05 (he swam 50:27, biked 4:37:16) to take the overall win in 8:15:07.

Top Ten Pro Men

1 Raña Ivan ESP 8:15:07

2 Diederen Bas NED 8:22:55

3 Jammaer Bert BEL 8:24:51

4 Blokhin Anton UKR 8:26:38

5 Johnsen Jimmy DEN 8:29:09

6 Marsh Brandon USA 8:30:17

7 Lovato Michael USA 8:37:14

8 Schmid Stefan GER 8:41:09

9 Castillo Latorre Andres COL 8:42:06

10 Morales Ezequiel ARG 8:44:58

Canada’s Tenille Hoogland led all women out of the water (54:27), then Denmark’s Michelle Vesterby rode to the front and held a 3:42 at the end of the ride. Ellis eventually tracked her down and took the lead. However, Sophie DeGroote (BEL) was in hot pursuit.

Ellis won by the skin of her teeth and held off the late charge by De Groote. Ellis swam 54:36, biked 5:05:26, and ran 3:11:17 to eeek out the win in 9:15:38. De Groote was just 7 seconds behind in second 9:15:45.

Top 10 Pro Women

1 Ellis Mary Beth USA 9:15:38

2 De Groote Sophie 9:15:45

3 Tajsich Sonja 9:21:30

4 Vesterby Michelle 9:23:49

5 Calkins Kathleen 9:25:58

6 Sessner Heidi 9:31:00

7 Hufe Mareen 9:32:19

8 Walsh Beth 9:39:25

9 Lyles Elizabeth 9:40:36

10 Arendt Jackie 9:44:05

14 Rollinson Ayesha CAN 9:53:26

17 Allan Paolina CAN 10:00:21

18 Hoogland Tenille CAN 10:02:22

19 Danais Marie CAN 10:37:29