Photos: Thomas, Jackson Win 2012 Wildflower

Jesse Thomas found the lead on the first half of the run and never let it go. Photo: Kurt Hoy

The swim turnaround at Lake San Antonio, Calif. Photo: Kurt Hoy

The reality of the Wildflower course: sometimes even the top pros have to walk. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Heather Jackson had the second-fastest bike split of the pro women (behind Linsey Corbin) and the fastest run split. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Linsey Corbin gets by 2011 Wildflower winner Leanda Cave. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Linsey Corbin, riding aboard her new Trek Speed Concept, led off of the bike. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Trek/K-Swiss team member Paul Matthews led early on in the run but couldn't hold the pace. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Australia triathlon veteran Chris Legh brought home a top-five finish. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Jordan Rapp stayed within striking distance of Jesse Thomas and ultimately finished second. Photo: Kurt Hoy

South Africa's James Cunnama ran his way to third. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Linsey Corbin and Heather Jackson have a friendly exchange at one of the turn around points. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Linsey Corbin led off of the bike and finished second. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Magali Tisseyre earned a podium spot.Photo: Kurt Hoy

Linsey Corbin tackles one of the many hills on the run course. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Heather Jackson proves her run can be just as deadly as her bike. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Jackson's 1:21:08 half marathon was by far the fastest of the women. Photo: Kurt Hoy

The breakthrough win and the course record. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Heather Jackson has had several podiums in her career but never a big win, until now. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Wildflower is also known for its volunteers. Photo: Kurt Hoy

James Cunnama before the start of the race. Photo: Kurt Hoy

The men kick off the day. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Several athletes said the water was warmer than usual this year. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Women's start. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Jordan Rapp on the bike. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Jesse Thomas on the bike. Photo: Kurt Hoy

James Cunnama on the bike. Photo: Kurt Hoy

The climbing never ends. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Leanda Cave in front. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Leanda Cave works to hold onto her lead. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Melanie McQuaid. Photo: Kurt Hoy

California's own Rachel Challis. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Boulder-based Christine Anderson. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Julia Grant. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Mighty Magali. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Jennifer Luebke once won the collegiate race at Wildflower. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Charisa Wernick shows the effort this course requires. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Veteran Heather Gollnick. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Finally a downhill section. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

First-year pro Beth Walsh. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Clayton Fettell. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Joseph Lampe. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Photo: Kurt Hoy

Tisseyre. Photo: Kurt Hoy