Ironman Lanzarote 09

http://www.ironmanlanzarote.com/

18th Ironman Lanzarote preview

The race to be the fastest man and the fastest woman Lanzarote Ironman for 2009 is a booked out event which includes 32 pro men and 16 pro women. Returning to defend their respective 2008 winner titles are Bert Jammaer and Bella Bayliss as are the male and female podium finishers Ain Alar Juhanson, Teemu Toivanen, Heleen Bij de Vaate and Tara Norton. In addition local Lanzarote Ironman identities Gregorio Caceres Morales and Nicholas Ward Munoz are favoured for top ten or podium finishes.

The International nature of Ironman Lanzarote is such that it has attracted athletes from both hemispheres for a total of 41 countries represented. Many top pros from around Europe and further afield all aspire for a podium finish, a first place or a course record of 8 hrs 35 minutes for the men and 9 hrs 24 minutes for the women. The line-up of pro-athletes includes for the men, Olaf Sabatschus and Stephan Vuckovic from Germany as well as the ex Telekom cyclist Kai Hundertmark, Dave Rost, Chris Brands and Bram Van den Bergh from The Netherlands, Stephen Bayliss and Scott Neyedli from Great Britain, Sergio Márques from Portugal and Xavier Lefloch from France. As to the women, Hillary Biscay from the USA, Kristina Wiegand and Ulrike Schwalbe from Germany, Lanzarote winner 2006 Karin Thuerig as well as Beatrix Blattmann from Switzerland, Catherine Houseaux from France and Elena Maslova from the Russian Federation.

With a start time of 7am, spectators, media and those who just love the rush of adrenaline will watch 1240 men and 100 women run from the beach of Puerto del Carmen into the Atlantic waters to swim 3.8 kms. At the completion of the 2 lap swim course the athletes will then transition from wetsuits to cycle gear and their bike to ride 180 kilometers around the island. The ride takes in notable climbs and descents of Los Valles, Haria and Mirador del Rio and the moonscape and lava fields of Timanfaya (Fire Mountains) that challenge the spirit of the most hardened athlete. As each athlete returns to Puerto del Carmen and transitions from cycling to running gear they will have completed the 180 kms and 2551 m of climbing in what is titled the Toughest Ironman Triathlon in the World. But the race is just over half-way as they still have to run a marathon along the shoreline of the once historic fishing village that has been transformed into a destination for Ironmen and supporters. 42.2 long hot kilometers away waits the finish line, the time clock and the waiting handshake from Kenneth Gasque (Race Director) who greets each athlete and welcomes them to the "Lanzarote Ironman Finishers Family".

In the world of Ironman "Anything is Possible" and that is testified by the oldest female and male entrants. Edwina Brocklesby is a 66 year old social worker from London and Richard Lake a 71 year fitness instructor from England. In addition there is Stéphane Rouyer representing the physically challenged/wheel chair athletes who truly do confirm that in the world of Ironman "Anything is Possible".