Jonas Colting of Sweden is hanging on to a bare thin 6 minute lead over Canadian Michael Coughlin today at the Ultrman World Championships with a total time of 15:24:17 on a day that saw almost 50 MPH winds make the 171.4 mile bike around the island of Hawaii an adventure of survival of the fittest.
Rounding out the men's podium is Brazilian Alexandre Ribeiro with a total time of 15:39:15.
On the women's race defending American champ Amber Monforte holds a commanding lead with a total time of 16:51:35 over second place Aussie Ultra triathlete Alice Robb who had a total stage one and stage two time of 19:15:43
Brazilian ultra athlete Vanusa Maciel is the only non-American in the top 5 racers with a total and third place time of 20:04:03 after the first two stages of competition.
Tomorrow the ultra athletes move on to the final stage of the three day triathlon which is a double marathon from Hawi to Kawaihae and then on to Kailua-Kona...of course all run in the Big Island heat and humidity.
Stage I
6.2 mile (10 km) of open water swim followed by a 90 mile (145 km) cross-country bike ride from Keauhou Bay around the sourthern tip of the island to finish at Namakani Paio Park in the Volcanoes National Park. Vertical climbs total 7600 feet (2316 meters).
Stage II
171.4 mile (276 km) bike ride from Volcanoes National Park to Keaau, and then turning east with a counter-clockwise loop through Kalapana, Kapoho and Pahoa an through the city of Hilo. The Route continues north along the Hamakua Coast to Waimea and over the Kohala Mountains to finish at the Kohala Village in on Hawi Road in Hawi.
Stage III
52.4 mile (84 km) double-marathon run from Hawi to Kawaihae and then on to Kailua-Kona. Finishing on the beach at the Old Airport State Park.
Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.
