Skipper, True Take Fast IM Arizona
In the last Ironman race in the northern hemisphere in 2022 it was two veterans who came away victorious.
Brit Joe Skipper won a loaded men’s field in 7:46:00, while American Sarah True won a head-to-head battle with countrywoman Skye Moench in 8:42.
Skipper was chased throughout the run by American Matthew Hanson, Ironman debutant Ben Kanute and Dane Kristian Hogenhaug. Hanson almost caught Skipper in the marathon but finished second in 7:49:48. Kanute qualified for Kona in 2023 by finishing third. American Sam Long, who skipped the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii this year, finished in 10th in 8:23:31.
True and Moench battled back and forth the entire day and it was only on mile 10 of the run that True established a gap in the race. It was True’s third Ironman start of the year after pulling out of the Ironman World Championships in October midway through the race due to illness.
MENS RACE RECAP
Brit Andrew Horsfall-Turner led the men out of the water in 47:16. Kanute, who just finished second at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships, was 18 seconds back. Skipper exited the water in 50:29 and Long exited 4:33 behind.
On the bike Skipper flew through the field on the rolling bike course and had the fastest split of the day. Skipper caught the leaders by mile 20 and rode with Hogenhaug throughout the 112 mile bike leg. Long was 2:30 down on the bike at mile 20 and was keeping the same pace as the leaders, however fell from the pace as the day continued.
Hogenhaug put in a surge at the end of the bike to finish 17 seconds up on Skipper, with Kanute 5:09 back and Hanson 13:42 behind.
Hogenhaug and Skipper ran together for the first 8 miles before the Brit put in a quick gap over the Dane, who struggled the rest of the day. Skipper held onto the lead but the fastest run split of the day went to Hanson, who covered the 26.2 mile course in 2:35. Kanute in his Ironman debut was third.
WOMEN’S RACE RECAP
Uber-swimmer Lauren Brandon led the women out of the water in 51:08, followed by True 2:40 down and then Moench with a gap of 5:08.
True and Moench caught Brandon just after halfway on the bike leg, and the two rode together the rest of the day.
True established a small gap over Moench, but not enough to run away with a commanding lead. It was only on mile 18 that True had a two minute gap over her countrywoman.
True finished with a 4:50 gap over Moench. American Danielle Lewis had the fastest run split of the day to finish third in 9:03:18.
MENS RESULTS
1. Joe Skipper (GBR) 7:46:00
2. Matthew Hanson (USA) 7:49:48
3. Ben Kanute (USA) 7:51:25
4. Kristian Hogenhaug (DEN) 7:56:38
5. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 8:03:25
6. Ruben Kepuntke (GER) 8:13:20
7. Adam Feigh (USA) 8:17:22
8. Kristian Hindkjaer (DEN) 8:17:48
9. Matt McWilliams (USA) 8:18:09
10. Sam Long (USA) 8:23:31
WOMENS RESULTS
1. Sarah True (USA) 8:42:38
2. Skye Moench (USA) 8:47:28
3. Danielle Lewis (USA) 9:03:18
4. Jen Annett (CAN) 9:06:26
5. Alice Alberts (USA) 9:15:29
6. Melanie McQuaid (CAN) 9:26:34
7. Brianna Troska (USA) 9:27:31
8. Ai Ueda (JAP) 9:32:25
9. Brittany Higgins (USA) 9:33:25
10. Lauren Brandon (USA) 9:36:12
PHOTOS COURTESY IRONMAN
