Macca claims victory in China!

Ironman China 70.3
Hainan Island, China
April 19, 2009
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
In conditions rivaling the toughest of any race on earth, with temperatures as high as 116 degrees and pure humidity, Australian Chris McCormack took the Title at the Ironman 70.3 China on the island of Haikou. Many Triathlon races come with the reputation of consistent heat and humidity, but this race took that claim to a new level. Throughout the majority of the run, temperatures hovered around 115 degrees with 90 percent humidity. Needless to say, the medical tent was the place to be post-race.The swim opened the day with mild temperatures in the high 70’s. The swim in the Nandu River gave racers an added challenge to the already grueling 1.2-mile swim. The river featured a strong current on race day, making the turn around difficult for many swimmers. The skilled swimmers used the current to their advantage, with Aussie Luke McKenzie coming out of the water first with two-time World Champion McCormack and a few others just twenty seconds back.In an event that melted some of the best athletes in the world, it was no to surprise to see McCormack and McKenzie take immediate command of the race on the bike, putting several minutes on their closest chasers within mile twenty of the bike. That’s when the lovable Aussie, known best as ‘Macca’ opened it up, destroying the second half of the 56-mile bike course and taking a commanding lead he would never give up.Demonstrating his quick transition skills developed in his short-course World Championship days Macca was fast to make the jump from bike to run. While Ironman 70.3 China featured several top professionals, with many in peak shape after logging consistent hours and long training camps, the race came down to one thing: who could handle the heat on the run? The race commentator put it best, it was here on the run that the “Macca show” took place.“It was utterly brutal conditions out there,” stated McCormack after the win. “It was like racing in a bowl of hot soup. I’m glad I had a nice lead off the bike and was able to take it pretty easy on the run.”McCormack’s next race will be in Morgan Hill, California on May 17th. From there, he will then race at Ironman Austria 70.3 in May and Challenge France in June. McCormack will then be defending his Title at the European Ironman Championships at Ironman Frankfurt on July 5th.
Ironman China 70.3
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Top Five Men:
1st - Chris McCormack - 4:04:44
2nd - Luke McKenzie - 4:23:34
3rd - Mark Jansen - 4:38:11
4th - Ken Glah - 4:46:12
5th - Paul Matthews - 5:00:00
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