Vanhoenacker sets Ironman triathlon world record‎

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KLAGENFURT, Austria (AP) — Marino Vanhoenacker won the Ironman Austria triathlon in a world record time Sunday, beating the 14-year-old previous best mark by nearly 4 minutes.

 

The 34-year-old Vanhoenacker finished the race in 7 hours, 45 minutes, 58 seconds to break the record set by fellow Belgian Luc Van Lierde in Roth, Germany, in 1997.

 

Mary Beth Ellis of the United States won the women's race in a new course record of 8:43:34 — the best time ever recorded by a woman making her Ironman debut.

 

Vanhoenacker, who recovered from a broken rib to compete in the race, has now won the Ironman Austria event six straight years. It was his ninth Ironman title overall.

 

Vanhoenacker overtook race leader Mark Albert of Estonia after 22 kilometers of cycling and stayed ahead for the rest of the race.

 

Michael Weiss of Austria finished second, 11:41 seconds behind, while Albert was 22:17 back in third.

 

Erika Csomor of Hungary was second for the women in 8:51:10, while Germany's Diana Riesler finished third in 8:53:03.