Triathlon: Van Vlerken records fastest Iron-distance race of all-time in Roth

Monday, July 28, 2008 - 06:13 PM

Vernay runs his way to men's title

By Brad Culp

The Netherland’s Yvonne Van Vlerken posted the fastest female Iron-distance time of all time at Quelle Challenge Roth on Sunday, finishing in 8:45:48—five minutes faster than Paula Newby-Fraser’s previous best mark and over a minute faster than the mark set by Sandra Wallenhorst at Ironman Austria today.

Van Vlerken, a former world-class duathlete, exited the water in 53:47, five minutes back of early leader Belinda Granger. Van Vlerken tried to keep pace with Team TBB’s stars on the bike, Granger and Hungarian Erika Csomor, but Granger came into T2 with a lead of almost nine minutes. The race looked all but over, until Van Vlerken began ripping off 6:30 miles en route to a 2:54:22 marathon split. That split put Van Vlerken across the line about 80 seconds ahead of Csomor, who was also under the previous world record. Kiwi Gina Fergusson passed Granger for third.

New Caledonia’s Patrick Vernay was tops in the men’s race, finishing in 8:09:34. Vernay was well back of uber-biker Torbjorn Sindballe heading into the run, but clicked off a 2:47:36 marathon to seal up the win. Aussie Pete Jacobs finished as the runner-up, three minutes ahead of Sindballe.