Chrissie Wellington Claims Victory at the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship

October 13, 2007 (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) - Chrissie Wellington claimed victory at the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship.

Battling the heat, Wellington dominated during the bike and held onto it throughout the run, leading a determined women's field that included Samantha McGlone, Kate Major, Joanna Lawn, Dede Griesbauer and Leanda Cave.

The event saw 1,787 athletes officially start the race and attempt to conquer a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run through the lava fields of Kailua-Kona, HI. While weather conditions were nearly ideal, many of the professional athletes dropped out of today's event. Those include six-time World Champion, Natascha Badmann; last year's female winner, Michellie Jones; two-time World Champion, Normann Stadler and 2005 World Champion, Faris Al-Sultan. Competitors, ranging in age from 18 years old to 78 years old, included several inspirational age group athletes to include:

• Charles Plaskon, a 64-year-old visually impaired athlete who participated today with his guide, Matt Miller from the C Different Foundation, crossed the line in 14 hours, 49 seconds.
• Scott Rigsby, a double below-the-knee amputee athlete from Atlanta, GA celebrated his finish in 16 hours and 42 minutes.
• Brian Boyle, survivor of a nearly fatal car accident where he was told he would never walk again, crossed the line at 14 hours, 42 seconds.
  
  
  

The Emmy Award winning Ford Ironman World Championship broadcast will air on December 1, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST on NBC. Please check your local listings for specific details.

For complete race day coverage and results from the 2007 Ford Ironman World Championship, visit www.ironman.com. For media-related inquiries, contact Blair LaHaye at Blair@ironman.com or Jessica Weidensall at Jessica@ironman.com.