It was a great day for New Zealand's own defending Ironman New Zealand champions Cameron Brown and Joanna Lawn. They've won the Ironman race in Tapou over the last several years and with the win's today they've set new unique Ironman records.

With the win Cameron Brown becomes the first man to ever win an Ironman race seven times. Not to be out done, Joanna Lawn has her day as well as she sets a new record with the win and becomes the first person / women to win the same Ironman race six consecutive times. She also set a new course record with a time of 9:16.00, breaking her previous record set back in 2003.

The day in Tapou started off nice but went from good to miserable as the race progressed with windy and raining conditions. It didn't matter to Brown who was patient while hanging around the lead all day. At the T2 Brown was down to Kieran Dow by about seven minutes. Brown cut the lead down and took the lead on the run and pulled ahead for the win. It was a tougher day for Lawn on the women's side. Lawn rode into T2 with a four minute lead but got chased down by Kate Bevilaqua who passed her around the 28km mark. Lawn stayed tough and ran with Bevilaqua for the next 10km step-by-step. Catching Lawn proved to be a little too much for Bevilaqua today, she started fading around the 39km mark as Lawn built up a lead and eventually pulled ahead for the record setting win and new course record.

Kieran Doe who recently beat Brown at the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman triathlon in January had a solid day. He pushed the pace and Brown all day until Brown passed him around the half way point on the run. In 2004 Doe finished 16th, last year he moved up to 6th place and today in Tapou he finished in 3rd, nine minutes behind Brown.
 
2008 Ironman New Zealand Results:

The much anticipated re-match between Luke Bell and Brown fizzled when Bell was tagged for a four minute drafting penalty out on the course. He was five minutes behind Brown at T2 and in 4th place but disappeared and ended the day with a DNF.

The reigning Ironman World Champions Chrissie Wellington and Chris McCormack have new websites. You'll be able to see what they've been up to and where they'll be racing this year.

Chrissie Wellington who's a memeber of TeamTBB was an unknown before her stunning win in Hawaii. She now has her own website at www.chrissiewellington.org. See what she's been up since her amazing win.

Hi everyone, welcome to my official website! I’m Chrissie and I’m a British Triathlete, and reigning Iron Man World Champion.

While you’re here you can find out all my likes and loves, view my gallery and keep up to date with my career, as well as see what I’ve been up to on my Blog! - Chrissie

Australian Chris McCormack or 'Macca' as he is affectionately known's website www.chrismccormack.com isn't new, it's been around for a while now but it has recently be redesigned and now is ready for you to check out.

Macca's shift to Ironman racing in 2002 has seen him win 10 Titles already including Ironman Australia 5 straight years as well as the Quelle Roth Challenge four consecutive years. Macca is also the only man to break the famous 8 hour mark three times now with a personal best Ironman time of 7:54:23. With his recent victory at the Ironman Hawaii World Championships, Macca has become one of only three men to have won World Titles at both the Olympic and Ironman distances.

A unique registration situation lingered for the November 2009 Ironman Arizona race and now we have the answer. Typically registration for the following year's triathlon race takes place the day after the race. But now that the race in April will be permanently moving to November questions arose on whether on-site general registration would be available in April or not. If your 2009 Ironman plans include the November race in Tempe, you might want to go to Tempe in April, see below...

Today North America Sports outlined the registration process for the November 2009 Ironman Arizona race. On-site registration only will be available at the Ford Ironman Arizona Race to be held April 13, 2008. Registration for those athletes entered in the 2008 race (wristbands and ID required) will be on Saturday April 12th, from 9am to 11 am and for all others on Monday, April 14th, from 7 am – 9 am. There will be no on-line registration available after the April race.

Similarly at the November Ford Ironman Arizona, registration for those entered for the race (wristbands and ID required) will be available on Saturday, November 22nd from 9 am – 11 am and on-site registration for all others (if spots are available) will be available on Monday, November 24th from 7 am – 9 am.

Boulder, Colorado - (February 28, 2008) - Tim DeBoom, a two-time Ironman World Champion and the No. 1 ranked Ironman triathlete in the United States, today announces the purchase of the Red Rock Company and its race events. Red Rock currently produces five races, with the first race kicking off May 3, 2008 in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

“I am very excited to be involved in my first race series, as I know how gratifying it is to participate in a well-produced and organized event,” said Tim DeBoom. “Our mission is to put on challenging, unique and fun events aimed at people who want to test the limits of their own endurance.”

Purchased by DeBoom and two partners, Tempe Arizona businessmen and triathletes Kimo Seymour and Mike Melley, the Red Rock events consist of five races held throughout the year, chosen for their popularity and challenging courses. Red Rock founder Jeff Suffolk will retain an interest in the company and continue to be involved in the management of the events. All of the races will have a charitable component with a focus on promoting children’s fitness, health and nutrition, as well as collecting food and clothing donations during each event.

The Red Rock schedule includes:
• Las Palomas Triathlon At Rocky Point - May 3, 2008 in Puerto Penasco, Mexico
• SheROX Triathlon Presented by Max Muscle McCormick Ranch - May 10, 2008 in Tempe, Arizona
• Nathan Tempe Triathlon – September 21, 2008 in Tempe, Arizona
• Pabst Blue Ribbon Off Road Triathlon – October 11, 2008 in Tempe, Arizona
• Soma Triathlon “Best of the U.S.” National Championships - October 26, 2008 in Tempe, Arizona

Only 30 miles and one month separates’ two of Ontario's new Half Iron distance triathlons this summer. The two new races are the Bracebridge Half IronDistance Triathlon in Bracebridge and the sold-out Ironman 70.3 Muskoka in Huntsville, Ontario.

Triathlon: Bracebridge Half IronDistance Triathlon
When: Sunday, August 10, 2008 @ 8:00 AM
Where: Annie Williams Park, Bracebridge, ON, Canada
Divisions: Age Group, Relay
Website: www.multisportcanada.com

The Bracebridge Half IronDistance Triathlon is new addition to the HSBC Triathlon Series this upcoming summer. The Bracebridge event is set to take place in beautiful Annie Williams Park which sits along the scenic Muskoka River.

The triathlon will consist of a 2000me Swim in the Muskoka River, a 90km Bike, which will be an out and back course with both long steady grades as well as sections of short steep grades, then a two loop 21.1km Run along the South shore of the Muskoka River.

Organizers will also be hosting a Half IronDistance Duathlon race that will consist of a 7.5km Run, a 90km Bike, and a 21.1km Run.

A milestone will be reached in the triathlon podcast (a radio show or other audio program available for download over the internet) field. IronmanTalk, the podcast hosted by a pair of kiwi’s John Newsom and Bevan Eyles has reached 100 episodes, just shy of their 2nd Anniversary. If you haven’t heard about the podcast or them, make sure to download an episode and listen to it because you’re missing out on a great and fun triathlon resource that is FREE!

The podcast hosts are an unlikely couple. Bevan, a fitness instructor and John, a laid back triathlon coach became mates when Bevan was in search of a new coach in 2004. After a year of coaching and training under a new regime Bevan went on to win his age group at Ironman New Zealand in 9hrs19mins. In early 2006 Bevan made a suggestion to John about podcasting. “When Bevan mentioned the podcast idea I didn’t even know what a podcast was but it sounded like a bit of fun so I thought it was worth investigating” said John. Since then it’s been a perfect match of experience and knowledge.

The podcasts usually are 40 to 60 minutes in length and are available every Monday via iTunes but can vary according to their schedule. Some of their recent episodes dealt with reports from their participation at Epic Camp with Scott Molina and Gordo Byrn in New Zealand.

Their podcasts are humorous and informative with a laid back approach. The podcast's main focus is on iron distance triathlon events and long distance athletes around the world. Each show brings you up-to-date with News and Race Results followed up with topics such as Discussion of the Week, Age Grouper of the Week and Website of the Week. From time-to-time the podcast features Coaches Corner, where John answers training related questions or has in-depth training related topics. Other times the podcast has in-depth interviews with pro triathletes or special triathlon related guests. Their interviews have included the likes of Cameron Brown, Peter Reid, Scott Molina, Jo Lawn, Craig Alexander, Chris McCormack, Chrissie Wellington and Gordo Byrn. User interaction comes in the form of their question of the week they post on their website (www.ironmantalk.com). They also interact with athletes from around the world via Athlinks.com, the social network for athletes.

It appears that the rumored changes that were being talked about have taken effect. The Ironman 70.3 Brazil race schedule to take place in September will now be moving to a new city and will have a new title sponsor.

The race previously held in the capital city of Brasília will now take place in the resort city of Penha in the Brazilian southern state of Santa Catarina. The move is related to the new title sponsor of the race, Beto Carrero which just happens to have the largest theme park in Latin America; Beto Carrero World, in the city of Penha. Brasil Telecom was the previous title sponsor.

Organizers hope to draw more people to this South American Ironman 70.3 race by moving the race to this beach resort city of over 21,000 people. The southern state of Santa Catarina also host another popular WTC race, Ironman Brazil on the island Florianópolis in May.

The race date for the Ironman 70.3 Brazil triathlon remains the same, September 14, 2008. The Ironman 70.3 Brazil race is an official qualifying event for the 2008 Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship race and will be offering 70 slots to race in Clearwater, Florida on November 8th 2008.

Course details have not been posted. The swim use to take place in a lake and now that they have moved the race to the resort city expect the swim to take place in the ocean.

A new all women's only triathlon has been added to the 2008 Minnesota triathlon schedule. The YWCA of Minneapolis Women's Triathlon will take place in August at Lake Independence in Maple Plain, MN which is located about 20 miles west of Minneapolis.

The sprint distance triathlon will consist of a 500yard Swim, a 15mile Bike and a 5km Run.

Triathlon: YWCA of Minneapolis Women's Triathlon
When: Sunday, August 17, 2008 @ 8:00 AM
Where: Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain, MN, USA
Divisions: Elite, Age Group, Relay
Website: www.ywcawomenstri.org

The triathlon starts in Baker Park at Lake Independence where the average water temperature in mid-August is 72-78 depending on the weather. The bike course will be on the scenic roads around Baker Park and the city of Medina while the run course will be on the paved trails of Baker Park.

The YWCA of Minneapolis has been empowering women athletes since 1891. This summer, join them and hundreds of other women for a day dedicated to celebrating the strength in all women.

RacerMate has release its 3rd CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Video. The just released training DVD is for the Ironman Arizona bike course.

RacerMate filmed in high definition video a number of Ironman courses on race day. The new CompuTrainer Interactive Real Course Videos will allow you to see and experience the bike portion of the race while riding indoors. These videos are sure set to take training and race preparation to an entirely new level.

Previous releases include the Ironman World Championship Hawaii and Ironman Coeur d'Alene course training videos. The next scheduled releases include Ironman 70.3 St. Croix by the end of March followed by Ironman Lanzarote in early April.

Prices for the videos in the new series will be: $99.95 each or $79.95 (each for 2 or more per order)

Colorado Springs, CO (Mar. 17 2008) - USA Triathlon is pleased to announce the creation of a USAT Hall of Fame to honor elite and age group athletes and other contributors who have played a key role in the development of the sport and USAT since they both began in the early 1980s.

Nominations are now being accepted. Those wishing to make a nomination must do so by the deadline of May 31. The criteria and nomination form are available for download. All nominations meeting the criteria will be forwarded to a Voting Committee created by the USAT Board of Directors, which will consider the merits of each nominee and make the final designation. Inductees will receive their award and be inducted at the USAT Congress in Portland, Ore., in September.

A USAT Hall of Fame was established by the Board of Directors in 1985, however, it was never activated. This past year, the Board designated a committee which reviewed the policy from 1985 as well as Hall of Fame policies from several other National Governing Bodies. What resulted was a revision to the original Hall of Fame policy and the designation of the two committees which are charged with soliciting nominations and overseeing the initial induction in September.

Over 1,900 athletes gathered today in Oceanside, California for the 2008 running of the Ironman 70.3 California triathlon.

Andy Potts who lead all day was passed by Craig Alexander with about 400 meters to go but Potts surged past Alexander in the last 25 meters to defend his Ironman 70.3 California title. On the women's side Erika Csomor of Hungary used her fast bike split to set herself up for the victory over Leanda Cave.
 
2008 Ironman 70.3 California Results:

Home town favorite Emma Snowsill and Javier Gomez win the BG Triathlon World Cup season opener in Mooloolaba, Australia.

Before the start all eyes were on Vanessa Fernandes who with a victory could make history with a record-breaking 20th world cup but it wasn't meant to be as Snowsill over powered Fernandes on the third lap of the run to for her second straight win in Mooloolaba.

It wasn't easy for Jomez, he had a slow swim and then suffered a minor crash on the bike course but raced back into contention to take the win over last year winner Brad Kahlefeldt.
 
2008 Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup Results:

History was still made in Mooloolaba as Lisa Norden of Sweden becomes the first Swede to ever take the podium at a world cup event in ITU history. She finished in 3rd place today. She was last year’s under23 world champion.

Cologne, Germany (March, 31th, 2008) - The Organisation of Cologne226 is going to start a cooperation with the METRO Group Marathon Düsseldorf to develop an endurance series throughout the Rhine region. The first two competitions of this race series will be the Marathon in Düsseldorf in May 2008 and the Triathlon in Cologne in September 2008. Other races will follow. This race series to be named Rhineland Champions will have a combined valuation system and aims to attract increased publicity across Germany and Europe. The partnership between Cologne and Düsseldorf is an enrichment for the region as well as for endurance sport.

Lots of triathletes use the Düsseldorf Marathon to prepare themselves for the triathlon season, while a number of marathon runners take the opportunity to try another endurance sport.

A valuation system for both races
Athletes that enter the contest of METRO Group Marathon Düsseldorf and Cologne Triathlon can participate in the combined valuation. This valuation is possible for all distances at Cologne Triathlon. In the first year of this cooperation a specific athlete entry is not required. The final time of both competitions will be added and will determine the final positioning. The awards to the Rhineland Champions will take place in September 2008 in a combined ceremony.