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Llanos and Morrison win the inaugural Ironman Texas

Neill gets 11th in this Category One race.

Choosing not to defend their Ironman Lanzarote titles, Spain’s Eneko Llanos and Scotland’s Catriona Morrison took their talents to The Woodlands and won the inaugural titles at Ironman Texas today.

American Chris Lieto shredded the bike course in 4:15:13 (dropped out during the run with an Achilles injury) but Llanos stayed within striking distance all day and made his move on the run where he pulled off a 2:49:04 marathon to stay ahead of American Tim O’Donnell for the win (8:08:20). O’Donnell made a fine Ironman debut. He ran himself right into second, and while he had the top marathon of the day (2:49:02), unfortunately for him it was not enough to overtake Llanos, and he crossed the line in second (8:09:50). Australia’s Luke Bell, who ran side by side with Llanos during the first half of the run, claimed third (8:12:22). Victoria’s Mike Neill finished in 11th (8:39:40).

Morrison, a winner at Ironman 70.3 Texas and St. Croix heading into today, pushed herself to the limit, and despite receiving a penalty, she took the victory with a sub nine-hour time (8:57:51). Texan Kelly Williamson led the swim, fell back to ninth after the bike, but ran her way into second (9:07:54) with the top marathon of 3:04:06 (just 8 seconds faster than Morrison). Belgium’s Sofie Goos hung on for third (9:12:53). American Tyler Stewart lit up the bike course with a 4:42:40 ride – the fastest woman’s split at an Ironman race.

“I’ve never had a penalty in my life, I feel so guilty, said Morrison. “I had a lot of fun until the last half of the run.”

Today’s race was a Category 1 event, that offered $100 00 in prize money, and substantial pro ranking points for the Ironman World Championship.

Men

1 Llanos, Eneko  8:08:20

2 O’Donnell, Timothy  8:09:50

3 Bell, Luke  8:12:22

4 Raphael, Jan  8:20:41

5 Major, Jozsef  8:24:17

6 Zeebroek, Axel  8:28:07

7 Daerr, Justin  8:29:44

8 Evoe, Patrick  8:32:29

9 Vabrousek, Petr  8:37:59

10 Abel, Torsten  8:38:40

11 Neill, Mike (CAN)  8:39:40

Women

1 Morrison, Catriona  8:57:51

2 Williamson, Kelly  9:07:54

3 Goos, Sofie  9:12:53

4 Stewart, Tyler  9:13:13

5 Deckers, Tine  9:19:27

6 Loeffler, Kim  9:20:04

7 Ficker, Desiree  9:24:09

8 Gordon, Jacqui  9:27:20

9 Lawn, Joanna  9:32:19

10 Harrison, Lauren  9:46:22