Los Angeles Triathlon 2009

The Kaiser Permanente City of Los Angeles Triathlon is now 10 years old and somehow manages to shut down LA city streets from wacky Venice Beach to the looming skyscrapers in downtown LA for the enjoyment of 2,500 age groupers and about 50 of the world's elite. In the past, non-drafting legends like Craig Walton, Chris McCormack, Greg Bennett, Emma Snowsill and Becky Lavelle have won it. This Sunday, ITU stars Javier Gomez of Spain and Lisa Norden of Sweden prevailed on a day which began in Victory at Sea surf conditions and ended in the sun dappled Staples Center, home to legends of other sports.

Photo Gallery by Timothy Carlson

Greg Bennett is the three-time defending champion of the Race for the Toyota Cup series which includes Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas. This year he overcame early season injuries, getting hit by a car, to take 3-1-4 fini9shed into the series finale next week in Dallas.

Julie Dibens, a two time Xterra World Champ, had not finished worse than second this season before taking 4th at Los Angeles.

Sarah Haskins consults with husband and coach Nate Kortuem about the fastest line out through the pounding surf.

The elite women's wave dashes into Neptune's waves.

Several age groupers were unable to get out past the shorebreak.

Hayley Peirsol led the women out of the swim.

Starting to notice a pattern? This pro's tongue is hanging out as he runs in from the swim.

Swim split mat

Another tongue hanging out! Javier Gomez on the bike.

Daniela Ryf, 22, of Switzerland, fourth at the recent ITU World Championship Series, scored the second fastest women's bike split and took third overall.

Stuart Hayes of Great Britain finished second.

Ben Collins of Seattle, a second year ;pro who won the USAT Amateur Nationals and the ITU Amateur Worlds overall in 2007, came off the bike in the lead pack and ran a 34:41 to take 9th.

Stuart Hayes of Great Britain passes Disney Concert Hall. Hayes led on the run until the Gomez Express came through with 2 miles to go.

Gomez started the run conservatively in 4th, but started to mow through the field here as he passes Greg Bennett at the Disney Concert Hall.

Eric Limkemann set fastest swim in 20:31.

Stuart Hayes overtakes Filip Ospaly on lap one of the run.

Javier Gomez passed the field and ran on alone to the finish past Staples Center billboard.

Lisa Norden breaks the tape in 2:00:20 with a 67-second margin of victory over Sarah Haskins.

Daniel Rodriquez of Spain offers congratulations to Lisa Norden.

Punk bike outfit at the finish