Ironman Hall Of Famer Bob Babbitt and some of the world’s best photographers share images and stories from what many consider the Toughest day in Sport in the new book "30 Years of the Ironman World Championship"

This new hardcover coffee table book is due out this month. It chronicles the moments from all of the Ironman World Championship triathlon races since the first one in 1978 when 15 people went out on a quest to see who the fittest athlete was. This is the second Ironman coffee table book from Babbitt. He originally produced the first book to mark the 25th anniversary. This new book just brings us up to date through the 2007 Ironman World Championship when rookie Chrissie Wellington shocked everyone with her solid win to Chris McCormack getting his first Ironman title after many failed attempts.

This book is bound to be inspirational to all triathletes, from those who dream of possibly attempting an Ironman race someday to those of us that have a completed one. Expect plenty of good stuff from author and Ironman Hall of Fame inductee Babbitt in the book to motivate you inform you and inspire you.

Click here to order your copy today from Amazon.com: 30 Years of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship (Ironman Edition) (MSRP: $34.95)

May 1, 2008 - The Blazeman Foundation for ALS is currently accepting nominations for the Blazeman Spirit Award to be presented at the 2008 Eagleman Ironman 70.3. Nomination forms may be downloaded here and are due by May 16th.

The Blazeman Spirit Award is given annually to a participant in the Eagleman Ironman 70.3 who most exemplifies the spirit of Jon “Blazeman” Blais. While many are familiar with Jon’s heroic performance in the 2005 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, few are familiar with Jon’s professional life as a special education teacher at the Aseltine School in San Diego, CA. Here, Jon focused his energy on helping kids who were emotionally challenged and learning-disabled. This is also where he became better known as "The Blazeman." Jon did amazing work with the kids. Through summer recreation programs and outdoor activities, his students learned to overcome obstacles and become stronger through hard work and determination. The Blazeman Spirit Award keeps Jon’s memory alive by recognizing an individual who inspires others to become a better person; leads by example; and has a passion for the journey of life.

The 20th running of the St. Croix triathlon which has consisted of various distances over the years and became part of the Ironman 70.3 series in 2006 was run today on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Today on the island Craig Alexander wins his third consecutive St. Croix Ironman 70.3 title and his fourth victory overall at this race. He'll share part of the $50,000 purse with Mirinda Carfrae who won the women's title today.

Alexander's 1:15:58 run helped him over the field today on the run course and take the victory. Marino Vanhoenacker sets a new bike course record with a time of 2:19; Paul Ambrose also beat the previous course record today. Richie Cunningham held on to finish in third just 13 seconds ahead of Faris Al-Sultan who took fourth. Frederik Van Lierde was in the running but crashed with 5 mile to go on the bike, he didn't start the run and DNF'd.

On the women's side 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Mirinda Carfrae wins her second title in St. Croix, she won the inaugural Ironman 70.3 series race back in 2006. Carfrae used her strong run to pull ahead of the women’s field for the victory today. Nina Kraft also used her strong run to pull her into second place today. Bree Wee who made her pro debut today placed third. Julie Dibens had a flat out on the bike and also DNF'd today.
 
2008 St. Croix Ironman 70.3 Results:

In Richards Bay, South Africa Daniel Unger of Germany and Carolyn Murray of Canada Win their first ITU World Cup titles at the 2008 Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup race.

Today's win solidifies Unger World Championship title which he won last year in Hamburg before every winning a World Cup race. He crossed the finish line just ahead of Olympic bound Matt Reed. On the women's side Murray who's world cup best has been eighth place just edged out Felicity Abram of Australia for the win.
 
2008 Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup Results:

A new triathlon series has been launched by the British Triathlon Federation, the British Triathlon Grand Prix. It will be combining the most prestigious and elite triathlon events in the country. The Grand Prix will consist of six triathlon races.

The new British Triathlon Grand Prix series will brings together the British Triathlon Corus Elite Series, (consisting of three events): the Mazda London Triathlon – the largest triathlon event in the world, the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon, and the seven time British Triathlon event of the year, the Nokia Windsor Triathlon.

With a significant combined prize purse across the six events, the races will attract the best of British talent as well as interest from as far as the USA, Australia and South Africa.

Inaugural British Triathlon Grand Prix Launched [ via Tri247 ]

R100,000 Up For Grabs For Record Breakers At Ironman South Africa.

Record breakers at the 2009 Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa will receive a R10,000 bonus for any record broken in either the swim, cycle or run. If a new course record is set R20,000 will be awarded. This bonus applies to both men and women, which means a total of R100,000 (Roughly $13,200 USD) could be awarded to athletes over and above the other prize money.

Triangle SA, organizers of Ironman South Africa, announced this new incentive as entries for the 2009 event officially opened. "The reason we introduced this monetary incentive is to both encourage and reward athletes who break records within the race itself," says race director Paul Wolff. "Often an athlete is strong at one discipline, but may not always finish on the podium or even be in the running for prize money. Take Anton Storm, who was first out of the water at this year's event and set a new swim record of 47:06. Anton, competing in his first full Ironman, struggled to the finish in 191st place but was motivated to do so as his swim record would only stand if he completed the entire race."

Conrad Stoltz of South Africa and Melanie McQuaid of Canada didn't let the hot and sunny conditions in Temecula, CA get in the way of back-to-back victories at the XTERRA West Championship.

2008 XTERRA West Championship Results:

The race consisted of a 1 mile Swim, 20 mile Bike, 6 mile Run

PowerBar introduces another product for athletes who need fast fuel during endurance activities, PowerBar Gel Blasts. Get the energy you need when you want it on your bike / run workout or race with PowerBar Gel Blasts, featuring C2 MAX optimized carbohydrate blend.

A pouch of Gel Blasts provides as much fast-absorbing energy as 1.5 PowerBar Gels. Each easy-to-open, resealable pouch contains nine energy chews providing a total of 45 grams of carbohydrates per pouch. The bite-sized energy chews have a soft outer shell with a liquid center. The PowerBar Gel Blasts are a convenient, easy-to-consume, source of concentrated carbohydrates that are designed to give you the blast of energy you need to push through your next workout or race.

 • C2 MAX optimized carbohydrate blend scientifically proven to speed energy to muscles
 • One pouch provides as much energy as 1.5 PowerBar gels (9 pieces per pack)
 • No artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
 • Easy-to-open, resealable pouch
 • Non-stick, bite-size pieces for convenient refueling
 • Flavors: Natural Lemon, Natural Cola
 • Natural Cola flavor with 2X caffeine helps increase alertness and focus
 • Natural Lemon flavor with vitamin C helps support your immune system

The MSRP seems to be around: $29.99 for a case of 16 pouches based on prices from some online stores.
 

The St. Croix Ironman 70.3 will offer both Kona and Clearwater slots in 2009. The race recently agreed to a multi-year extension with World Triathlon Corp., to continue to be one of the few Ironman 70.3 races to give its’ participants a chance to qualify for two World Championship events.

The race will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009 and will award 28 Ironman Qualifying slots to the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI and 40 slots to the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, FL.

The St. Croix Ironman 70.3 race features one of the most beautiful courses in the sport, and the tropical early season conditions serve as excellent preparation for Kona, as well as a great place to begin the racing season.

Registration is currently open for the 2009 race.

For more information on the St. Croix Ironman 70.3 race please go to www.stcroixtriathlon.com.

If you are racing Ironman Coeur d’Alene on June 22 make sure to look into getting a neoprene swim cap and aqua socks because the water is and probably will be COLD! Usually those types of items are not allowed at an Ironman event but an exception might be made this year because all of the snow they received has kept the lake water cold.

Race organizers are planning on adding another hot tub to the transition area and another tent that will be blowing / circulating hot air inside the tent.

Cold waters could hamper Ironman athletes news video [ via kxly.com ]

Zipp and CycleOps Power have partnered to introduce the first and fastest disc wheels with PowerTap technology. PowerTap is the leading power measurement technology in cycling. It measures torque/velocity 60x per second and is scientifically accurate (+/-1.5%).

Zipp will offers the PowerTap technology on three disc wheels, the Sub-9 Disc, the 900 Tubular Disc and the 900 Clincher Disc. PowerTap equipped disc wheels add only 120 grams to each disc with no compromises in strength, stiffness, or aerodynamic performance.

Zipp Sub9 Tubular PowerTap Disc (700c)
The Sub-9 is the first disc to achieve negative drag in the wind tunnel (-80 grams of drag at 15 degrees of yaw) when paired with the Zipp Tangente Tire. The toroidal bulge creates a more comfortable and compliant ride. MSRP for Sub-9 with Wireless PowerTap and pro pack: $3,500 USD

Chris McCormack and Samantha McGlone returned to the island of Hawaii for the 5th running of the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii race and successfully defended their titles.

McCormack was the pre-race favorite and you can see why as this was his 3rd consecutive title at the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii triathlon. Last year he set the course record with a blazing time of 3:57:18.

McGlone managed to stay ahead of Tyler Stewart and Kate Bevilaqua to take her 2nd consecutive title at this triathlon. Local native Bree Wee who finished 3rd last year as an age grouper and has since turned pro did not start today. She is recovering from a recent illness.
 
2008 Ironman 70.3 Hawaii Results: