Faris Al Sultan (GER) dominated the men’s race at the 2008 Ironman Malaysia in 8:34:42 and Belinda Granger (AUS) set a new course record in the women's race in 9:29:21.
Considered one of the toughest Ironman events, the day began with a warm swim in Kuah Bay. Leading the way out of the water was young Canadian Mathieu O'Halloran, followed closely by Faris Al Sultan. Luke Dragstra (CAN) was next, but he trailed the swim leaders by 4:30.
Once on the bike though, Al Sultan took charge and methodically pulled ahead. By the 80k mark his lead was almost 12 minutes and he continued to increase his gap. O'Halloran was still in second place and Dragstra and Elmar Schuberth (AUT) were another minute adrift. 2007 Ironman Louisville Champion Chris MacDonald and Petr Vabrousek (CZE) were about 17 minutes behind Al Sultan.
By the time Al Sultan started the run, he had a 20 minute lead on Dragstra and almost 25 minutes on a group that included Schuberth, O'Halloran, Vabrousek and Peter Kern (IRL). Al Sultan cruised to victory with a 3:06:08 marathon and a total time of 8:34:42. Vabrousek surged past all the other contenders and finished second in 9:04:54 and Schuberth followed in third in 9:06:03.
In the women’s race, Hillary Biscay (USA) was well out of the water before the next female hit the shore. Belinda Granger was next about 3:20 adrift and Yvonne Van Vlerken (NED) a further 6 minutes behind.
A furious ride by Granger though put her in the lead by the 20k mark, and by 40k she had a 2 minute cushion on her closest pursuer. Granger eventually hit T2 with an almost 9 minute lead over Van Vlerken and a 24 minute lead over Biscay.
Once on the run Van Vlerken started to chip away at the lead of Granger and by 21k she was only 3:20 behind Granger and by 26k she was as close as 2:45. But Granger was determined to win this race and managed to pick up her pace. She eventually crossed the finish line in a course record of 9:29:11 with Van Vlerken in second place in 9:35:46. Yasuko Miyazaki (JAP) ran down Biscay for third place in 10:14:01.
Top 5 male pros
1. Faris Al Sultan (GER) 8:34:42
2. Petr Vabrousek (CZE) 9:04:54
3. Elmar Schuberth (AUT) 9:06:03
4. Mathieu O’Halloran (CAN) 9:10:44
5. Luke Dragstra (CAN) 9:17:49
Top 5 female pros
1. Belinda Granger (AUS) 9:29:21
2. Yvonne van Vlerken (NED) 9:35:46
3. Yasuko Miyazaki (JAP) 10:14:01
4. Hillary Biscay (USA) 10:18:11
5. Ute Streiter (AUT) 10:50:30
