After a challenging day, Steve McKenna emerged victorious in Ironman New Zealand. Meanwhile, Chelsea Sodaro dominated the women’s race, securing a substantial lead.
McKenna commenced the day at the forefront of the swim, setting a promising tone for his performance. Exiting the water after 52:07 minutes, he found himself in the company of Michael Boult, Justin Metzler, and Niek Heldoorn.
During the bike leg, Heldoorn and McKenna initially surged ahead, establishing a slight lead. However, as the race progressed, a larger group formed, with Metzler and Mike Phillips joining the frontrunners. Phillips displayed remarkable biking prowess, eventually claiming a lead of over two minutes.
Transitioning to the marathon, McKenna and Heldoorn initially pursued Phillips. McKenna’s strong start propelled him ahead, gradually distancing Heldoorn. Midway through the marathon, McKenna seized the lead, with Heldoorn trailing close behind Phillips.
In a dramatic turn, Heldoorn surged ahead, briefly overtaking McKenna. However, McKenna rallied, reclaiming the lead in the final stretch and ultimately securing victory.
McKenna crossed the finish line in 8:01:13, followed by Heldoorn in 8:03:46, and Ben Hamilton in 8:08:13, who surpassed Phillips in the closing stages.
In the women’s race, Chelsea Sodaro dominated from the outset, emerging as the clear favorite. Leading a group of five women after the swim, including Jocelyn McCauley and Barbara Riveros, Sodaro showcased her strength.
Sodaro and McCauley established a commanding lead on the bike, leaving their competitors behind. Dutchwoman Els Visser made a valiant effort to catch up but began to falter towards the latter part of the bike leg.
Despite encountering mechanical issues, Sodaro swiftly closed the gap during the run, surpassing McCauley and securing a decisive lead. Behind her, an intense battle unfolded between McCauley, Visser, and Regan Hollioake.
With ten kilometers remaining, Visser held the advantage, securing second place. Sodaro claimed victory at 8:40:07, followed by Visser at 8:57:34, and McCauley at 8:58:23.
In both the men’s and women’s races, perseverance and strategic prowess defined the competition, culminating in well-deserved victories for McKenna and Sodaro.
