Gambles and Crawford take Ironman Wisconsin

Gina Crawford (NZL) won her second Ironman Wisconsin title yesterday and broke her own 2007 course record in the process. She swam 53:35, took over the lead in transition and biked 5:12:50, and ran 3:14:22 to set the new mark of 9:27:26, well ahead of Germany’s Kristin Moeller (9:39:43), and Mirjam Weerd of the Netherlands (9:52:25).

Joe Gambles (AUS) raced smart in his Ironman debut. He stayed within himself, and his heart rate goals, then made his move on the run, taking over the lead just past the 15 km mark. He kept building on that lead and crossed the line in 8:38:32. Romain Guillaume of France got second (8:49:42), and Eric Bean, who was using this as a training race for Kona (he was supposed to stop halfway through the run but was doing too well to quit), finished third (8:51:36).

The previous course bests were set by Gina Crawford in 2007 (9:37:03), and Chris McDonald in 2008 (8:43:29).

Top 5 Men

1. Joe Gambles (AUS)  8:38:32

2. Romain Guillaume (FRA)  8:49:42

3. Eric Bean (USA)  8:51:36

4. Stefan Riesen (SWI)  8:53:39

5. Blake Becker (USA)  8:55:44

Top 5 Women

1. Gina Crawford (NZL)  9:27:26

2. Kristin Moeller (GER)  9:39:43

3. Mirjam Weerd (NLD)  9:52:25

4. Kate Pallardy (USA)  10:04:19

5. Charisa Wernick (USA)  10:07:19

Canadian Age Group Standouts (Top 3)

Sellars, Andrew    1/4/3     41/M40-44   54:23     5:12:59      3:20:02       9:35:15

Burgess, Gail        2/1/1      58/W55-59   1:18:43  6:24:07     4:54:09     12:53:02