Granger dominates Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid

Australian claims women's pro championship

Australia's Belinda Granger dominated the women's professional championship race held in Lake Placid today, pulling away from her competition during the challenging bike course and never looking back as she claimed her fifth Ironman title.

Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid alternates with Ford Ironman Coeur d'Alene as either a men's or women's championship. The men competed in Idaho last month, which meant that today's race featured a women's-only professional field.

Granger arrived in Lake Placid as the race favorite, despite the fact that she had already competed in three other Ironman distance events in 2007. Always known for her strong cycling abilities, Granger dominated the race once she got on the bike. By the time she finished the challenging two-loop course that winds through the Adirondacks (in a bike course record), she had a 14-minute lead over her closest competitor.

While she struggled over the closing miles of the run, Granger easily held on to her lead, winning the race in 9:40:20. Second place went to former Ford Ironman World Championship age group winner Tyler Stewart, who enjoyed her most successful Ironman day as a professional with a 9:47:38 finish. Erika Csomor followed up a runner-up finish at the ITU Long Course World Championship just a week ago with a third place finish. The 2005 Ironman Canada champion, Karen Holloway, from Richmond, VA finished fourth, while Linsey Corbin, from Missoula, MT rounded out the top five.

The men’s race was won by Alex Mroszoczyk-McDonald, a medical student from Burlington, VT. He got to the line ahead of Quebec’s two-time Ford Ironman World age group champion Pierre Lavoie. Craig Howie from Longmond, CO, finished third in the men’s race.

For a couplete look at today’s coverage, click on the coverage tab on the Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid event page.