Canada’s Brent McMahon enjoyed a superb M-dot debut at Ironman Arizona last weekend to win the men’s race – breaking the course record along the way – while Meredith Kessler (USA) won the women’s race by a margin of more than eight minutes.
Men's race
The race started with a 3.8km swim in Tempe Town Lake, and McMahon emerged first with David Khan (USA), about 50secs ahead of a group that included Clemente Alonso Mckernan (ESP) and Tim O’Donnell (USA).
On to the bike and Jordan Rapp (USA) put the hammer down to take the lead on the second loop, with Maik Twelsiek (GER) moving into second place by T2 and McMahon in third.
Out on the run course, Twelsiek quickly gained time on Rapp, getting to within five seconds, but McMahon managed to overtake both, running a 2:43 marathon to claim gold.
Top five pro men:
1. Brent McMahon (CAN): 7:55:48
2. Clemente Alonso Mckernan (ESP): 8:00:42
3. Jordan Rapp (USA): 8:03:14
4. Maik Twelsiek (DEU): 8:07:59
5. Tim O’Donnell (USA): 8:11:00
Women’s race
Kessler led the women out of the swim followed by Amanda Stevens (USA), Heather Jackson (USA) and Lisa Huetthaler (AUT). She then took control of the race through the three-loop bike course, with Jackson reaching T2 in second place followed by Huetthaler, Stevens and Katy Blakemore (USA).
Through the early miles of the marathon Jackson looked like she might continue her charge to the front, but Kessler continued to move strongly toward the finish, putting in a 3:07 run split to claim a convincing victory.
Top five pro women:
1. Meredith Kessler (USA): 8:50:41
2. Lisa Huetthaler (AUT): 8:58:46
3. Heather Jackson (USA): 9:08:57
4. Katy Blakemore (USA) 9:11:32
5. Amanda Stevens (USA): 9:15:32
For full results head to the event website here.
(Images: Ironman/Nils Nilsen)
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