2016 Ironman Arizona

Lionel Sanders (CAN) and Meredith Kessler (USA) claimed the victories on a record-breaking day at the 2016 Ironman Arizona triathlon.

Photo: Competitive Image

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2016
The pro men kick off the action in Tempe Town Lake.
2016
It was a beautiful day for setting records.
2016
Brazil’s Rafael Goncalves was first out of the water in 45:31.
2016
Eventual winner Lionel Sanders had a stellar swim for him, coming out of the water in 53:45.
2016
American Meredith Kessler was first of the water for the pro women at 49:31.
2016
2012 Ironman world champion Leanda Cave was third out of the water at 53:14.
2016
The Netherlands’ Yvonne Van Vlerken on her way to a 4:40:40 bike split.
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American Jessica Smith on the bike.
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Kessler going for the three-peat at Ironman Arizona.
2016
Sanders turned in a fast ride but spent most of the bike ride chasing Australia’s Cameron Wurf.
2016
Concalves on the bike.
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Sanders set himself up for the Ironman record with a stellar 4:04:38 bike split.
2016
Kessler was first off of the bike with a 4:44:24 bike split.
2016
Professionals must navigate their way through the age-group field on the second and third laps of the bike.
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Canada’s Brent McMahon turned in the fastest Ironman debut at this race two years ago.
2016
American TJ Tollakson has now finished on the Ironman Arizona podium five times.
2016
Sanders quickly took over the top spot once on the marathon.
2016
Sanders said that he was aware of the record, but had some moments in the marathon where he didn’t think it would be possible.
2016
Slovenia’s David Plese on his way to a fourth-place finish.
2016
Australia’s Joe Gambles finished seventh in 8:12:36.
2016
McMahon had the fastest marathon of the day at 2:40:17.
2016
Australia’s Cameron Wurf was first off of the bike.
2016
Tollakson ran a 2:56:43 marathon.
2016
Sanders averaged a 6:12 mile over the marathon.
2016
Kessler has struggled with an injury this year but managed to make it through the marathon and earn her third-straight win here.
2016
At one point Van Vlerken appeared to be cutting into Kessler’s lead, but her pace slowed in the final miles.
2016
A happy Jen Annett on her way to a seventh-place finish.
2016
Ruth Brennan Morrey posted the fastest run split of the women (2:57:45) to finish in fourth.
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Americna Kelly Williamson on her way to an eighth-place finish.
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Van Vlerken went on to finish second.
2016
Sanders’ face shows the pain of the final miles of the fastest Ironman ever.
2016
Sanders capped of his day with a 2:42:31 marathon.
2016
The official time and a new Ironman record: 7:44:29.
2016
It also marks the second-straight victory at Ironman Arizona for the Canadian.
2016
McMahon had an amazing day, crossing the finish line in second at 7:50:15.
2016
Tollakson cruises in for third, making the podium the exact same as last year.
2016
Kessler makes it three in a row at one of her favorite races.
2016
She crossed the line at 8:48:23.
2016
The top two female finishers pose with the Voice of Ironman, Mike Reilly.

Photos: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

Lionel Sanders (CAN) and Meredith Kessler (USA) showed strength and fortitude as they battled a competitive professional field to claim victories at the 2016 Ironman Arizona triathlon. Sanders pulled off a brilliant race to end the North American season, breaking the Ironman triathlon World Record by a minute and a half with a finish time of 7:44:29. Kessler was consistent from the start line to the finish tape to claim her third win in a row at Ironman Arizona with an impressive time of 8:48:23. Read the recap

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