McCormack wins second Ironman triathlon title
The Associated Press, Hawaii | Sun, 10/10/2010 10:37 AM
Iron man: Ironman triathlete Chris McCormack of Australia, begins the 26.2 mile marathon during the Ironman World Championship Saturday in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. AP/Chris Stewart
Australia's Chris McCormack won the Ironman World Championship for the second time in four years Saturday, finishing the 140.6-mile (226.3-kilometer) triathlon in 8 hours, 10 minutes, 37 seconds.
The 37-year-old McCormack held off a late challenge from Germany's Andreas Raelert, with the two running side by side into the final miles of the marathon following a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer)swim and 112-mile (180-kilometer) bike ride.
"I'm so happy," McCormack said. "I had nothing to lose today. I just told myself I'd stay in the moment today. It's a dream come true."
Raelert was second in 8:12:17. Belgium's Marino Vanhoenacker finished third in 8:13:14.
Raelert, third last year, said the heat of day overcame him and he faded in the last 2 miles.
"I did everything I could," he said. "I thought I had to dig deep last year, today those last miles were tough."
In the women's division, Australian Mirinda Carfrae raced to her first Ironman title, winning in 8:58:36.
The 29-year-old Carfrae had the fourth-fastest time in the 32-year history of the event and also broke her own year-old run course record with a 2:53:32 marathon.
"I just can't believe it. I'm speechless," she said.
Switzerland's Caroline Steffen was second in 9:06:00, followed by Britain's Julie Dibens in 9:10:04.
