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Sanders Superb and McMahon Magnificent in Tempe!

November 15, 2015
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LIONELSKECHERS1Lionel Sanders and Brent McMahon made it a Canadian one-two at Ironman Arizona, while Mel McQuaid grabbed seventh in a deep field of Ironman veterans.

Windsor’s Lionel Sanders showed the world that his swimming has improved immensely thanks to a 54:04 swim split in Tempe Town Lake, then followed that with a 4:13:38 bike and a 2:47:07 marathon to win in 7:58:22. Brent McMahon ran a shade faster than his

Brent McMahon Credit: Erik Coser
Brent McMahon Credit: Erik Coser

countryman (2:46:25) to pass Andy Starykowicz in the closing miles of the marathon to take second, while TJ Tollakson also managed to get passed Starykowicz to round out the men’s podium.

Meredith Kessler took the women’s race thanks to the fastest swim and bike splits of the day, finishing in 8:44, while Amanda Stevens was second in 8:52. Julia Gajer rounded out the podium in 9:03:15. Melanie McQuaid continues to prove her power over multiple distances as she grabbed seventh and top Canadian spot in a time of 9:14:14 thanks to the third fastest bike split of 4:51:28. It was McQuaid’s second go at the Ironman distance. Fellow Canadians Christine Fletcher  (9:35:54) and Caroline Martineau (9:37:18) finished 11th and 12th respectively.

Men’s top 5:

1 7:58:22 Lionel Sanders
2 8:00:57  Brent McMahon
3 8:04:17  TJ Tollakson
4 8:05:56  Andrew Starykowicz
5 8:08:05  Jordan Rapp

Women’s top 5:

8:44:00 Meredith Kessler
2 8:52:31 Amanda Stevens
3 9:03:15 Julia Gajer
4 9:05: 10 Darbi Roberts
5 9:11:10 Michelle Vesterby