2012 Australian Ironman women's winner Michelle Mitchell. Pic: Delly Carr
2012 Australian Ironman men's winner Paul Ambrose. Pic: Delly Carr
It has been run and won - and a huge shout out to Ironman Australia's 2012 victor Paul Ambrose.
Ambrose out-swam, out-cycled and out-ran the competition on Sunday. He was first out of the water and maintained that dominance over the entire 226km course in Port Macquarie and beyond.
Port Macquarie's own Tim Berkel made up almost nine minutes on Ambrose in the 42.2km run leg, but ran out of road and had to settle for a brave second.
Berkel's excellent run left Leon Griffin as the third man on the podium. He spent crucial time in the penalty box on the 180km bike leg and just couldn't make up the time.
Michelle Mitchell had a huge battle with the two other professional women in the field and managed to cross the line - smiling - ahead of Nicole Ward and American Hillary Biscay. To them we say congratulations.
To the age-groupers who made up the majority of the field, well done.
The glorious weather was matched only by your determination and persistence. And, according to many volunteers, your smiles and gratitude also made the long hours worth it.
Click on the photo below to check out some of the reader-submitted photos from ironman Australia 2012.
❏ TOP 10 MEN
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Click on the photo below to check out more photos from Ironman Australia 2012.
❏ TOP 10 WOMEN
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