Ford Ironman Wisconsin in Madison
Australian Sets New Course Record in Madison Ironman Triathlon
Sep 10, 2008 John Douglas Liesveld
After pumping out a 2.4 mile swim, 110 mile bike race and a full 26.2 mile marathon Australian triathlete Chris McDonald claimed victory and set a new course record while Arizona triathlete Hillary Biscay won the women’s race.
Ironman Wisconsin New Course Record
One of the most physically demanding endurance sports in the world, the Ironman pushes athletes to superhuman limits. And during Sunday’s race McDonald, Biscay and other triathletes attempted to transcend those limits.
For elite athletes like McDonald and Biscay the swim served as the warm-up for their kinetically conditioned bodies.
After emerging from Madison’s Monona Lake, their lungs heaving and their eyes focused and water sliding off in rivulets, the athletes wasted no time. They slipped on shoes, strapped on helmets, straddled their bicycles and launched into the second phase of the long grueling event, a 110 mile bicycle race spanning Wisconsin rolling countryside.
When their rigorous pedal pumping came to an end the athletes hit the pavement running. They wound their way 26.2 miles through the backdrop of Madison’s gorgeous and eclectic downtown.
Halfway through the marathon, Chris McDonald maintained a steady focus and pace through the streets of Madison where spectators and race volunteers lent encouraging words and handed out water, sports drink and food to the triathletes.
McDonald’s face was not the haggard appearance one might expect to see in a man after exerting his body to Ironman rigors. While he still faced the last half (13.1 miles) of the marathon his stern focus propelled him to a victory that set a new course record: 8:43:29.
Australian Athletes Dominate Wisconsin Ironman Triathlon
McDonald’s win was not without its obstacles such as fellow Australian Jason Shortis who was favored to win according to the Ironman Website. Shortis, a seasoned endurance competitor, holds multiple Ironman victories.
The Ironman live Website updates tracked the race's progress in real time. Shortis suffered a flat tire during the bike race and later experienced an asthma attack that allowed McDonald to extend his lead and enter the run a good distance ahead of his competitors. McDonald held that lead throughout the marathon portion of the race crossing the finish line about 15 minutes ahead of Shortis who finished third.
Hillary Biscay Wins 2008 Ironman Wisconsin Women's Race
In the women’s race Hillary Biscay of Tuscan Ariz. maintained the lead for most of the race. However, during the marathon portion Switzerland's Karin Gerber overtook Biscay with only about six miles to go. Gerber stretched her lead to almost one minute according to an Ironman Website story. Biscay, showing dedication regained the lead and strove hard to the finish winning in a time of 9:47:25.
Throughout the day temperatures never surpassed the mid-seventies and humidity remained low. In the past the Ironman in Madison experienced weather conditions at both ends of the spectrum.
“We’ve had extremes,” Helen Manning, North American Sports Media Coordinator said adding some years brought cold rain and in other years extreme heat wearied the athletes.
“This year was absolutely perfect. We couldn’t ask for anything better,” Manning said, referring to the race day weather conditions.
Ironman Wisconsin Race Results 2008
Men
- Chris McDonald, Australia 8:43:29
- Serge Meyer, Switzerland 8:55:50
- Jason Shortis, Australia 8:59:14
Women
- Hillary Biscay, U.S.A. 9:47:25
- Karen Gerber, Switzerland 9:49:46
- Jessica Jacobs, U.S.A. 9:50:45
Jason Shortis Struggles in Ironman Wisconsin
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Sweating it Through the Miles in Ironman Wisconsin
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Ironman Wisconsin Edge Agony into Athlete's Face
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Chris McDonald Maintains an Ironman Focus
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