KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — Former world champions Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington are back and hungry to regain their titles in the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.
Alexander won in 2008 and 2009, but lost to fellow Australian Chris McCormack last year. Alexander likely will be joined in the lead pack Saturday by Andreas Raelert of Germany, Raynard Tissink of South Africa and Marino Vanhoenacker of Belgium.
Mirinda Carfrae will defend her title in the women’s race against Wellington. The three-time winner from Great Britain is still recovering from a bike accident that left her with road rash along her left arm, hip and leg.
The Big Island course consists of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a marathon.
