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In picture perfect conditions, 1,175 individual and 73 team entrants set off at sunrise on their Ironman challenge of a 3.8km swim, 180.2km ride and 42.2km run.
Amongst these competitors were three of Southport Tri Club's finest - Renee Simons, Rachel Stewart & Peter Moore. Congratulations to all three athletes on finishing what is undoubtedly the toughest race distance in our sport.
Renee Simons - 9:53:38 (1st in Female 25-29 age group, 8th female overall, qualified for Kona 2009)
Peter Moore - 13:19:39 (49th in age group)
Rachel Stewart - 13:53:05 (28th in age group)
In the men's pro race, Luke Bell and Luke McKenzie established an early lead on the bike, thanks to their superior swimming. Bell continued strongly into the second lap of the bike, and at the 90km mark he was on world record pace. However it was Tim Berkel who entered the run course in first place, following a lightning fast transition. He was closely followed by a group which included Galindez, Griffin, France's Simon Billeau, Jason Shortis, Luke Bell and Josh Rix.
Berkel quickly opened up a three minute gap, however course record holder, 38 year old Jason Shortis, gradually started to make ground on the 24 year old, and with 10km to go he made his move, running past a seemingly tiring Berkel. Amazingly, Berkel immediately responded to the pressure, and in a mammoth effort he surged back past Shortis.
Berkel then proceeded to stamp his authority on the race, eventually celebrating his run down the finish chute to his favourite song, “I'm too sexy”. He achieved a personal best time of 8:07:06, and it would seem that the sky is now the limit for the popular 24 year old, who has only been racing the gruelling Ironman distance since 2007.
The women's race unfolded very differently, with Gina Ferguson leading all the way to take the honours from defending champion Charlotte Paul.
While Gina Ferguson didn't quite break the Ironman distance world record, she broke the magical nine hour mark, setting a new record of 8:59:24 for the Busselton course.
TOP THREE RESULTS
Position Overall Swim Bike Run
1. Tim Berkel (NSW) 8:07:06 50:25 4:26:43 2:49:56
2. Jason Shortis (Qld) 8:10:57 50:43 4:26:37 2:53:36
3. Luke McKenzie (NSW) 8:12:45 48:05 4:29:04 2:55:35
1. Gina Ferguson (NZ) 8:59:24 50:30 4:58:12 3:10:41
2. Charlotte Paul (Qld) 9:06:34 57:35 5:00:38 3:08:20
3. Kat Baker (ACT) 9:37:24 57:50 4:58:54 3:40:39 | | | | |  Renee Simons proudly holding her 1st Female 25-29 trophy. |
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