Van Lierde, Ellis take Nice
Belgian Frederik Van Lierde won his 3rd Ironman France title in a row with a superb effort all day and a final time of 8:08:59. Mary Beth Ellis took the women's title and broke the course record with a time of 9:12:54.
After a 48 minute swim and a very fast 4:33:29 bike effort on this tough mountainous course Van Lierde managed a 2:42:07 marathon to close out his day and take the win. The fastest run split though belonged to fellow Belgian Bart Aernouts who had a smoking fast 2:37:01 to grab the runner-up spot in 8:12:28. 2010 champion Clemente Alonso-McKernan from Spain finished third in 8:35:52 and thus helped avoid a Belgian sweep of the podium. Bruno Clerbout from Belgium finished fourth in 8:43:17.
Mary Beth Ellis led a very small female Pro field out of the water in 51:22 and had Lucie Reed not far behind. Once on the bike the American Ellis recorded a race best 5:11:40 bike split and cruised with a 3:04:06 marathon to a comfortable win in a course record 9:12:54. Jeanne Collonge from France was second in 9:20:51 and fellow French Pro Delphine Pelletier rounded out the podium in 9:22:37.
Ironman France
Nice, France / June 23, 2013
Top men
1. Frederik Van Lierde (BEL) 8:08:59
2. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 8:12:28
3. Clemente Alonso-McKernan (ESP) 8:35:52
4. Bruno Clerbout (BEL) 8:43:17
5. Nicolas Beyeler (SUI) 8:50:53 * AG
Top women
1. Mary Beth Ellis (USA) 9:12:54 ** Course record
2. Jeanne Collonge (FRA) 9:20:51
3. Delphine Pelletier (FRA) 9:22:37
