Chris McCormack, Chrissie Wellington win Ironman Triathlon
{{date|October 14, 2007}}

"Normal" in the 2007 [[w:Ironman Triathlon|Ironman Triathlon]] World Championship was only the fact the sun rose in the east, as shortly past the swim start the day brought forth a hot and cloudless [[Hawaii|Hawaiian]] sky; injuries and illnesses to many; DNFs for two years worth of defending champions; and a first-time winner.

Australian [[w:Chris McCormack (triathlete)|Chris McCormack]], placing 2nd in 2006, passed Aussie Craig Alexander in the marathon and further scorched the Queen [[w:Kaahumanu Kaʻahumanu|Kaahumanu Kaʻahumanu]] Highway with a 2:42:02 run to claim the world title in 8:15:34.

In even more excitement, rookie (her first Ironman length race was seven weeks ago in Korea) [[w:Chrissie Wellington|Chrissie Wellington]], from Great Britain, claimed the women's title finished in 9:08:45.

The 6:45 a.m. [[w:Hawaii Standard Time|Hawaii Standard Time]] start to the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile [[w:Time trial|time-trial]], and a 26.2 mile marathon saw a cascade of unfortunates to favorites. Defending 2006 champions [[w:Normann Stadler|Normann Stadler]] and [[w:Michellie Jones|Michellie Jones]] and 2005 champion [[w:Faris Al-Sultan|Faris Al-Sultan]] were struck down with stomach ailments; six-time winner and 2005 champion [[w:Natascha Badmann|Natascha Badmann]] totaled her bike after crashing into road cone; and [[w:Luke Bell|Luke Bell]] was sidelined with a leg injury.

But a sense of "normal" returned later in the day as the temperature and winds rose and as many of the 1,788 starters completed before the October 14, 2007 12:00am deadline.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url= http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/a-recap-of-an-unusual-day-of-racing-in-kona
|title=What a day in Kona
|author=World Triathlon Corporation
|pub=WTC
|date=October 14, 2007}}
*{{source|url= http://vnews.ironmanlive.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship?show=leaderboard
|title= Ironman World Championship Leaderboard
|author=World Triathlon Corporation
|pub=WTC
|date=October 13, 2007}}
*{{source|url= http://www.triathletemag.com/Departments/Features/2007_Features/McCormack__Wellington_win_Hawaii_Ironman_br__font_size_2_Defending_champions_DNF_due_to_injury__illness_as_rookies_dominate_women_s_race__font_.htm
|title=McCormack, Wellington Win Hawaii Ironman
|author=Cameron Elford
|pub=Triathlete Magazine
|date=October 13, 2007}}

{{Publish}}
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[[Category:Hawaii]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:Triathlon]]
"Normal" in the 2007 Ironman Triathlon World Championship was only the fact the sun rose in the east, as shortly past the swim start the day brought forth a hot and cloudless Hawaiian sky; injuries and illnesses to many; DNFs for two years worth of defending champions; and a first-time winner.

Australian Chris McCormack, placing 2nd in 2006, passed Aussie Craig Alexander in the marathon and further scorched the Queen Kaahumanu Kaʻahumanu Highway with a 2:42:02 run to claim the world title in 8:15:34.

In even more excitement, rookie (her first Ironman length race was seven weeks ago in Korea) Chrissie Wellington, from Great Britain, claimed the women's title finished in 9:08:45.

The 6:45 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time start to the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile time-trial, and a 26.2 mile marathon saw a cascade of unfortunates to favorites. Defending 2006 champions Normann Stadler and Michellie Jones and 2005 champion Faris Al-Sultan were struck down with stomach ailments; six-time winner and 2005 champion Natascha Badmann totaled her bike after crashing into road cone; and Luke Bell was sidelined with a leg injury.

But a sense of "normal" returned later in the day as the temperature and winds rose and as many of the 1,788 starters completed before the October 14, 2007 12:00am deadline.
Hawaii Sports Triathlon