Rapp, Ellis Win Ironman Texas

Americans Jordan Rapp and Mary Beth Ellis each took home their fourth Ironman titles at today’s Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas.

After only participating in Ironman races in Arizona and Canada, Jordan Rapp decided in 2012 he’d take a gamble and test himself with a new, highly competitive Texas race. That gamble paid off handsomely, as Rapp secured his fourth Ironman win in The Woodlands with a time of 8:10:44.

“I wanted to try something different” said Rapp after his win, “and I wanted to test myself. I knew going in this race would be a good challenge for me.”

Rapp overcame a 12-minute deficit off the bike, after Mathias Hecht blazed through the course in 4:18:17, a new Ironman Texas record. Rapp admits he was nervous coming off the bike, but by mile three knew he was in for a solid run. His marathon time was 2:46:55.

“I felt great on that run,” Rapp explained. “I’ve been wanting to break the 2 hour and 50 minute barrier in the marathon, to show that I’m not a one-trick pony. Now I want to go to Kona and run with the big boys.”

Colorado athlete Justin Daerr ran his way from seventh off of the bike to secure second-place honors with a time of 8:22:15. Hecht would go on to take third place with 8:22:58.

In the women’s race, Mary Beth Ellis and Amy Marsh battled alongside each other during the swim and bike, until Ellis pulled away early in the run. She extended her lead by over six minutes, finishing with a time of 8:54:58, a new course record.

Caitlin Snow shattered the women’s run course record, clocking a 2:51:47 marathon on her way to second place. Marsh finished third, with a time of 9:04:03.

Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas – May 19, 2012
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run

Men’s Race
1. Jordan Rapp (USA) 8:10:44
2. Justin Daerr (USA) 8:22:15
3. Mathias Hecht (SUI) 8:22:58
4. Jozsef Major (HUN) 8:27:19
5. Brandon Marsh (USA) 8:30:18

Women’s Race
1. Mary Beth Ellis (USA) 8:54:58
2. Caitlin Snow (USA) 9:01:32
3. Amy Marsh (USA) 9:04:00
4. Corinne Abraham (GBR) 9:18:39
5. Charisa Wernick (USA) 9:27:43

Complete results.