The 29th edition of the classic Wildflower long course provided lots of thrills. Long shot, dark horse, first year pro Jesse Thomas, a former Stanford steeplechaser who had been in athletic hibernation for the better part of eight years, came from behind with the day's fastest run to score a shocking win. Leanda Cave finally got her Wildflower wish after two second places by fighting off a valiant charge by Mary Beth Ellis by a mere 7 seconds. And along the way, cave came within 5 seconds of matching Julie Dibens course record. And not all triumphs were at the front. Tenille Hoogland of Canada got over a bad case of asthma to finish a proud 4th - ahead of stellar names like Virginia Berasategui, Samantha Warriner, Jodie Swallow and Desiree Ficker.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
Once 24-year-old Australian Clayton Fettell passed bike leader Bjorn Andersson 3 miles into the run, he cruised alone in the lead, dreaming of his biggest career win, until dark horse Jesse Thomas passed him at Mile 12.
Charisa Wernick makes some last minute adjustments.
2009 Wildflower winner Virginia Berasategui got discouraged with a position foul and finished 5th. But her smile remains undefeated.
2000 Wildflower champion Chris Legh finished 5th.
The elite women hit the water.
The first age group men's wave.
Typical washing machine turmoil at the Wildflower swim start.
Mary Beth Ellis was the second woman out of the water in 24:22 - behind Jodie Swallow and 2 seconds up on Leanda Cave.
Virginia Berasategui emerged from the swim in 26:04.
Jennifer Luebke of Missoula Montana won the Wildflower Olympic distance collegiate last year and took 17th in the long course in 2011.
Leanda Cave had a great all around day, but she won it with a women's race best 2:34:20 bike.
Mary Beth Ellis took 59 seconds longer than Leanda Cave on the bike.
Jordan Rapp (6th overall) duels with Dan Hugo (10th overall) up Nasty Grade at Mile 41 of the bike.
Leanda Cave's 1:25:37 was out run by Mary Beth Ellis (2nd) and Magali Tisseyre (3rd0 , but it was good enough for the win.
Mary Beth Ellis gave it her all. But her 1:24:42 run fell 7 seconds short.
Like Berasategui, Ironman 70.3 World Champion Jodie Swallow was discouraged by a position foul on the bike she could not fathom. She finished with an off form 1:33:43 run for 7th.
James Cunnama was stalking leader Clayton Fettell throughout the run. But at 11 miles, the shadow of fast closing dark horse Jesse Thomas loomed.
Clayton Fettell held the lead to Mile 12 - but at the last aid station Jesse Thomas was ready for the kill.
An elated Jesse Thomas high fives the crowd in the finish chute - 26 seconds in hand over Fettell.
Tenille Hoogland enjoys a rest after her 4th place finish.
