Aussie Luke McKenzie led from start to finish at the 2010 Ironman Brasil Florianopolis to win his 5th Ironman title in record time. Tereza Macel won her 4th title, but had to fight Dede Griesbauer until late in the run.
The men
A superb swim by Luke McKenzie put him 3 minutes clear of any other Pro athlete and a couple minutes ahead of the fastest age groupers. Eduardo Sturla, Reinaldo Colucci and Oscar Galindez surely represented some serious fire power in the Pro men's field, but 3 minutes is still not the kind of lead you want to give the young Aussie who won Ironman China and Busselton Half earlier this year.
Early on during the bike it appeared that the chasing pack with Sturla, Colucci and Galindez made time back on McKenzie but the seconds came of the clock ever so slowly. At the 115k mark of the bike Sturla and Galindez had clawed themselves within 2:25 of McKenzie, but Colucci paid the price for the pace and started to drift back. McKenzie eventually opened up the gap again and reached T2 with no one else in sight.
McKenzie looked smooth on the run too and despite hard efforts by Galindez and Sturla to reel him in, the Aussie wasn't relenting. Sturla fell of the pace first and the bigger threat for McKenzie actually came from a bit further back in the form of Ezequiel Morales of Argentina. This fleet footed runner was flying along and by the halfway point of the marathon moved past the now fading Sturla and Galindez, but McKenzie was still way out in front. McKenzie crossed the line in a course record time of 8:07:39 and with it captured his fifth Ironman title. Morales crossed the finishline 5 minutes later in second place and Santiago Asenco captured third. Sturla found some late energy to finish fourth and Galindez hung on for fifth.
"So happy to get the win today. I was in a tough position for a lot of the bike only being about 2-3 minutes ahead of Oscar and Eduardo," said McKenzie to slowtwitch. "I thought they might reel me in close to the end, but I actually increased my lead by T2 to around 4 minutes. Oscar came at me early but I had a great day on the run. I felt strong the whole way and actually was able to pick it up over the last 5km as I knew I was close to the record. I didn't see Morales till late in the run (he was flying) I knew once I passed 30km I had it I just had to hold my pace."
The women
During the swim Dede Griesbauer got away from Tereza Macel and finished the M shaped course in Florianopolis first.
Macel chased hard on the bike and by the 55k mark was back with Griesbauer. The 2 athletes then pushed the pace to see who could break whom but none of them would really give. Behind them Hillary Biscay and Donna Phelan were riding in third and fourth position respectively, about 9 minutes adrift. Macel and Griesbauer kept battling each other but reached T2 together.
The marathon looked like a continuation of the bike segment with a test of wills for both Griesbauer and Macel, but eventually the Czech Team TBB athlete got a gap that the American wasn't able to close again. From there Macel steadily increased her lead and captured the win in Florianopolis. Griesbauer held on to second place about 7 minutes adrift and Maria Omar rounded out the podium.
"When I heard Dede was on the start list I knew it would be a battle, since she is one of the most consistent Ironwomen out there. We also have very similar race styles, and tactics, so it was no surprise that it came down to the run," said Macel. "She was really gutsy and made it a great race. I am glad I did Brazil and this one means a lot to me. It is not often that I get to race head to head for so much of the race, and then make a successful move on the run."
Ironman Brasil Florianopolis
Florianopolis, Brazil / May 30, 2010
Top 10 men
1. Luke McKenzie (AUS) 8:07:39
2. Ezequiel Morales (ARG) 8:12:44
3. Santiago Ascenço (BRA) 8:18:33
4. Eduardo Sturla (ARG) 8:20:25
5. Oscar Galindez (BRA) 8:33:00
6. Petr Vabrousek (CZE) 8:36:16
7. Guilherme Manocchio (BRA) 8:39:12
8. Florian Greckl (GER) 8:40:01
9. Gabriel Raff (ARG) 8:40:27 *AG M25-29
10. Ivan Junior (BRA) 8:54:06
Top 10 women
1. Tereza Macel (CZE) 9:19:13
2. Dede Griesbauer (USA) 9:26:09
3. Maria Omar (ARG) 9:36:04
4. Hillary Biscay (USA) 9:44:39
5. Donna Phelan (CAN) 9:44:45
6. Ann Ciaverella (USA) 9:48:09 * AG F40-44
7. Ana Taddei (BRA) 10:03:21 *AG F25-29
8. Cristina Carvalho (BRA) 10:05:37 * AG F40-44
9. Olja Bregar (SVN) 10:07:15
10. Frish Barbara (ARG) 10:14:45 *AG F30-34
