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The countdown has started to the 2009 Ford Ironman Hawaii and here are a few things we have noticed leading up to the event. A unique bike case from Biknd, a data logger from Quarq, the Great Athlete Auction, a new Scott Rigsby book and an Oregon event that has nothing to do with triathlon.

Short course stars Greg and Laura Bennett, in the midst of a year spent recovering from injuries, venture into long course, conquer Augusta, and qualify for the 70.3 Worlds

The USA’s Jarrod Shoemaker won the ITU elite men’s short course Duathlon World Championship with a come-from-behind photo finish sprint over France’s Damien Derobert today at the Charlotte NC motor speedway

Nicolas Lebrun of France outran Conrad Stoltz of South Africa and Melanie McQuaid of Canada used her swim to outlast US pro Shonny Vanlandingham to win the XTERRA USA National Championship in Ogden Utah

Monique Petrov, 39, a triathlete from San Rafael California, was struck by a minivan on a training ride September 16 and is recovering from critical injuries

Kristin Armstrong, driven from triathlon to cycling by an osteoarthritic hip, earned a second World cycling time trial gold Wednesday to go with her Olympic TT gold.

At the 2009 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, TYR is introducing a line of wetsuits, something that has been missing in the portfolio of the Huntington Beach, CA company with the slogan "Made for swimmers by swimmers."

Oscar Galindez regains Cancun 70.3 crown he surrendered to Chris Legh last year; Michellie Jones avenges 2008 calf DNF with a wire-to-wire win in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera.

It's that time. The bike industry is again focused on Las Vegas. The big companies are pulling back resources from America's bike industry trade show, those brands seeking a leg up increase their floor space.

Tim Hola, who was picked as one of Outside Magazine’s 50 Fittest Real Men in 2008, and Rochelle Hair of Mammoth Lakes California took the USAT national long course championship titles in Oklahoma City Saturday. Rochelle Hair grabbed the women's title.

The 2009 Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii is almost upon us, and here is a look at our archive of the top finishers at Ironman Hawaii dating back to the very first race in 1978.

With Eurobike behind us and Interbike almost here, we stumbled upon carbon goggles from blueseventy, a tri suit from Santini, another Rafael bike, a Jef Mallett book and an interesting USB flash drive.

Craig Alexander showed that he is ready for the upcoming Ironman World Championships in Kona with a solid win at Subaru Ironman 70.3 Muskoka. Mirinda Carfrae captured the women's title in a time of 4:24:48.

Leanda Cave of Great Britain outruns Tenille Hoogland of Canada and Brian Fleischmann outruns Kyle Leto to win Triathlon at Pacific Grove titles

Greg Bennett, in first race after August bike crash, takes second to Stuart Hayes; Laura Bennett tops Becky Lavelle in Nautica Malibu Triathlon Olympic distance elite contest

Australia’s Emma Moffatt surged away from Lisa Norden with 300 meters to go to take the Grand Final and World Championship series titles on Australia’s Gold Coast

Spain’s Mario Mola spoiled Jonathan Brownlee’s bid to match brother Alistair’s senior world title; France’s Emmie Charayron topped Australia’s Emma Jackson at Junior Worlds.

Raynard Tissink won the 2009 Ford Ironman Wisconsin, after defending champion Chris McDonald faltered during the run. The women's race was dominated by Amy Marsh who crossed the line well ahead of her closest pursuer.

Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain runs dazzling 29:04 to outlast Spain’s Javier Gomez by 7 seconds and win the Gold Coast Grand Final and take the 2009 world points title with a perfect 5-for-5 winning record

Arnaud Chivot of France took overall men’s title in 1:53:26 and Carrie Lester of Australia won the women’s overall in 2:06:16 at age group Worlds in Australia

Germany’s Franz Loeschke outran Aussie James Seear and Great Britain’s Hollie Avil did the same to countrywoman Jodie Stimpson to take the Under 23 world titles on Australia’s Gold Coast

On this Friday we look closer at derailleur cables from Gore, a speedsuit from Aquasphere, lighting from Knog, a t-shirt from Swobo and a great money "hiding" idea.

After heated discussions about the recently announced compression sock ban for Kona, the WTC announced today that covering the calves at the Ironman World Championships would no longer be considered an infraction of a rule.

At the ITU World Championship Series Grand Final, Alistair Brownlee has a commanding points lead over Javier Gomez and the rest of a strong men’s field; while Emma Moffat must finish within a place or two of Lisa Norden to secure the title.

Ironman's owner to test pros and elite age-group athletes both in and out of competition. Will AGers have to register with ADAMS? Details to follow.