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Taupo's Bryan Rhodes has won Ironman Canada
25/08/2008 10:54:29 a.m.

RHODES WINS IN CANADA
Taupo Ironman athlete Bryan Rhodes has won Ironman Canada this morning (NZT), fending off fatigue and numerous challengers over the final 20km of the marathon to cross the line in 8 hours 32 minutes and 12 seconds.

While very much a proud Kiwi, Rhodes has been claimed as a local by some at the event, remembering his three year stint living and training at the event venue in Penticton.

Rhodes was exhausted but delighted upon winning.

"I got to the turnaround and didn't think I could hold it, but the crowd just got behind me and I ran faster," he just told the crowd at the finish line.

The win adds to an impressive international CV for year old Rhodes, joining Malaysia and England on his list of Ironman victories. The popular Kiwi has finished in the top five in Canada on five occasions, without ever cracking the victory. This added to his delight upon finally winning the race today.

Surprisingly for the strong swimming Rhodes, he was second out of the water, a position he maintained after a strong 180km bike. He made his move early in the marathon and took a lead he would never relinquish at 10km into the final discipline.

It was a United Nations chasing pack too with five different nations represented in the top five finishers.

Austrian Bernhard Hiebl impressed onlookers with a strong second placing on his Ironman debut, passing Canadian Jasper Blake late in the marathon.