2013 Ironman Hawaii – Race 3
On this day Mirinda Carfrae made history on many fronts. She broke Chrissie Wellington's women's course record by 1:48 with a new mark of 8:52:14. She thus became the first woman to post three sub-9 hour finishes (2010, 2011 and 2013), breaking a tie with Paula Newby-Fraser (1992 and 1993) and Chrissie Wellington (2009 and 2011) at two sub-9 finishes. She also broke her own run course record by 1:30 with a new mark of 2:50:39. She also became the first woman to outrun the men's winner (Frederik Van Lierde ran 2:51:19) and also posted the third fastest run overall including the men. Beyond her remarkable numerical accomplishments, she exhibited a touching emotional passion throughout the day and at the finish where she embraced her fiancé Tim O'Donnell, her coach Siri Lindley and her rivals Rachel Joyce and Liz Blatchford and let her mother in the crowd know how much she loved her with a private gesture.
Men's winner Frederik Van Lierde of Belgium made his victory a continuation of the legacy of his coach and non-related namesake and fellow Belgian Luc van Lierde, keeping a cool head all day while he crafted a perfectly balanced 4th-best swim, 4th-best bike leg and 4th-best run into a smooth, 13th-fastest ever 8:12:29 finish. Runner-up Luke McKenzie of Australia's day was more emotional as he topped his previous best Kona finish by 7 places, adding his first sub-3 hour marathon at Kona to a sizzling-fast, 2md-best 4:22:26 bike leg to make a career breakthrough. The much more heralded Sebastian Kienle did not obliterate the field on the bike. but his well-paced 3rd place finish was one step closer to his Kona goal.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson/Slowtwitch
Women's champion Mirinda Carfrae raised her arm in celebration she shared with Rachel Joyce and Liz Blatchford, fellow members of the women's podium.
Frederik Van Lierde's 2:51:19 marathon may have been bettered by Mirinda Carfrae, but it was enough to erase Luke McKenzie's lead at Mile 16 of the marathon and establish a 2 minutes 50 seconds margin of victory.
Luke McKenzie broke 3 hours on the Kona marathon for the first time with a 2:57:20 run.
Sebastian Kienle did not post the fastest bike split and fell from 2nd to 3rd with a 2:58:36 run. Still, it was his best Kona finish yet.
James Cunnama of South Africa advanced to 4th with a 2:52:38 marathon.
Mirinda Carfrae's elegant, swift-as-Mercury stride on Alii Drive.
Caroline Steffen had a hard-time-for-her during a 3:11:56 run that left her in 5th place.
Caitlin Snow's 2nd-fastest 2:58:54 run brought her home in 6th place – top American.
Defending champion Leanda Cave runs next to men's pro Petr Vabrousek as a stream of age groupers head out to the turnaround on Alii Drive. Cave swam and rode well, but early season injuries left her fading to 12th woman on the run.
Third place Sebastian Kienle offers runner-up Like McKenzie a pat on the back.
Ivan Raña of Spain can finally exhale after a 2:47:55 marathon advanced him to 6th place.
Cyril Viennot of France touched the outstretched hands of the crowd in the finish chute as he finished 12th.
Christian Ritter of Germany spent some time with his head bowed to the carpet contemplating his 14th place pro men's finish in 8:35:23.
Matthew Russell of the United States did the Blazeman roll after his 19th place pro finish.
In what may be his final Kona appearance, three-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander, accompanied by TJ Tollakson, waves to the crowd after his 23rd place pro men's finish.
Rinny Carfrae, who has plenty of heart, makes a heart symbol to one of her many dear friends at the finish.
Mirinda Carfrae jumps into the arms of her fiancé, 5th place men's finisher Timothy O'Donnell.
Fierce rivals on the field of play, Mirinda Carfrae and Rachel Joyce share mutual admiration and affection after their 1-2 finish.
Rachel Joyce shows an obvious appreciation for her coach, 6-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott.
Liz Blatchford appears to be overwhelmed with her 3rd place finish in her Kona debut.
