IM Cairns 2016 Run
The run in Cairns takes athletes along the boardwalk and through oceanfront Fogarty Park. With lots of bars and restaurants along the course, and three loops of running, athletes have lots of company and support. Slowtwitch photographer Eric Wynn was on site to capture the action of a thrilling race that saw plenty of lead changes for the men and a wire-to-wire win for the women.
There was plenty to celebrate for Tim Van Berkel in the chute – a new course record and an Asia-Pacific title on home soil.
The rainy day did little to dampen the spirits of the countless spectators and volunteers. And, it seems, also didn't keep these folks' mustaches from staying put.
The worst rain came on the bike, which then made for oppressively humid conditions on the run.
But the lack of rain in the afternoon meant that this little fan's chalk art stayed in relatively good shape.
Sarah Crowley ran her way into a strong 3rd place to round out the women's podium.
David Dellow saw his course record fall to Tim Van Berkel, but he was strong all day en route to a close 2nd place that will send him back to Kona.
It took him some time to get there, but once he grabbed the lead on the run, Tim Van Berkel never looked back, posting the only sub-2:50 marathon with a dominant 2:46.
Fogarty Park sits right on the ocean and, on a sunny day, offers incredible views.
Luke Bell didn't have the finish he wanted in Cairns, but the gritty Australian stuck it out to finish. Always a fan favorite, Bell got huge cheers from his hometown crowd when he did cross the line.
The aid stations on the run were well stocked, but not nearly as well stocked as the numerous bars along the esplanade and boardwalk.
Tim Van Berkel runs under the inflatable arch of his longtime sponsor and race sponsor Shimano en route to the finish line.
The wooden boardwalk was a nice change from the concrete and blacktop of many runs courses, though it was a little slick early in the day.
Cairns isn't just a vacation destination. It's a working port too, as evidenced by numerous cargo ships.
The Cairns Marina is the starting point for day boat trips out to the Great Barrier Reef, a nice opportunity for those athletes who chose to extend their time in Cairns after the race.
After sitting out all of 2015 with an injury, Linsey Corbin was thrilled to be back on the podium. A strong 3:02 marathon after a crash and a penalty has her optimistic about a return to the top-10 in Kona in 2016.
Jodie Swallow owned the day after a devastating swim and bike that allowed her to control the race from the front for a wire-to-wire win in course record time.
He's gone faster than 8:19 on this course, but David Dellow was happy with a strong performance across all three disciplines as he finished second here today. His finish in Cairns comes only about six weeks after finishing second at Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie.
The days fastest run didn't tax Tim Van Berkel enough that he couldn't still jump like a kangaroo at the finish line to celebrate.
