Schildknecht, Thürig Win Ironman Switzerland

Swiss athletes Ronnie Schildknecht and Karin Thürig turned in fast marathons to take the victories at their home race of Ironman Switzerland.

Schildknecht worked his way through the field with each discipline. He was fourth out of the swim, second off of the bike and first at the finish line. Schildknecht’s 4:36:11 bike put him only behind Switzerland’s Mathias Hecht to start the run. He quickly passed Hecht and then worked to hold off a fast-running Clemente Alonso-Mckernan of Spain. Schildknecht’s gap was enough to give him the 8:19:51 win. Alonso-Mckernan ran a 2:41:58 marathon to earn second. Hecht held on for third.

In the women’s race, Thürig overcame a slow swim time of 1:02:41 to take the win. Her 4:51:19 bike and 3:06:41 run propelled her to the 9:03:26 victory. She has said she will retire in October, making this her final appearance at Ironman Switzerland. American Amy Marsh finished second, with Hungary’s Erika Csomor earning third.

Ironman Switzerland
Zurich, Switzerland – July 10, 2011
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run

Men
1. Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI) 8:19:51
2. Clemente Alonso-Mckernan (ESP) 8:27:56
3. Mathias Hecht (SUI) 8:30:26

Women
1. Karin Thürig (SUI) 9:03:26
2. Amy Marsh (USA) 9:11:36
3. Erika Csomor (HUN) 9:36:59