2009 - 70.3 Ironman World Championship

Germany's Michael Raelert and Great Britain's Julie Dibens claimed victory at the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3, Presented by Ford. Raelert set a course record with an overall time of 3:34:04. Dibens held off the field and set a 70.3 World Championship course record, crossing the line at 3:59:33.

Raelert was among a competitive men's field consisting of professionals such as Matt Reed (USA) and Greg Bennett (AUS), as well as defending champion, Terenzo Bozzone (NZL). Raelert pushed his way up to the top five men within the first mile of the run and took over at approximately mile 4.

Dibens dominated a strong group of contenders including last year's 70.3 World Champion, Joanna Zeiger (USA) and second place female Mary Beth Ellis (USA), 2009 Ironman 70.3 Boise winner, Magali Tisseyre (CAN) and this year's Ironman 70.3 Augusta winner, Laura Bennett. Exiting the water in fifth, Dibens chased her way into first and held the position for the majority of the race, claiming the first-ever women's sub-4 hour finish.

The fourth-annual event saw 1,438 athletes, ranging in age from 18 to 79 years old, officially start the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. A prize purse worth $90,000 was available to all athletes competing in today's professional field.

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