More from Ironman 70.3 Panama.

More from Ironman 70.3 Panama.

The pre-race hype surrounding today’s Ironman 70.3 Panamá triathlon focused mostly on the fact that seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong would be making his first start in a road triathlon in more than 20 years. Although they didn’t get quite as much pre-race attention, there were other important stories taking shape. Who would take advantage of the early-season opportunity to earn important Kona Pro Ranking (KPR) points? How would two-time Olympic medalist Bevan Docherty fair in his first half-iron distance race in 12 years? Would Leanda Cave show the same great form that led to her first Ironman victory in Arizona at the end of 2011? How would the heat and wind of Panamá affect the outcome? All of these questions were answered.

Men’s Race
American Matty Reed, who was the most outspoken about his concerns that Armstrong would receive an unfair advantage with a media circus surrounding him on the bike, led the men out of the Panama canal and into T1. His blazing 1.2-mile swim time of 18:49 came with the help of a current. The time didn’t give him much of an advantage as four men, including Bevan Docherty and Rasmus Henning, were right on his heels. Armstrong turned in the 10th fastest swim of the men, exiting in 19:22 and just ahead of fellow super cyclist Chris Lieto.

It was France’s Bertrand Billard, not Lieto or Armstrong, who pushed the pace early on in the bike. Just 12 miles in, Billard had built a lead of 1:40 over the chase group. About halfway into the bike Armstrong and Lieto took charge, leading the effort to catch the Frenchman. Also in the group with the fast-riding Americans were Henning, Richie Cunningham (AUS), Docherty, Oscar Galindez (BRA) and Romain Guillaume (FRA). Eventually Armstrong, Lieto and Galindez broke away from the rest of the group as they continued to pursue Billard. Billard’s effort on the 56-mile bike course proved to be too much, as Lieto caught him in the final stretch.

It was Lieto leading early efforts on the half-marathon course, with Billard and Armstrong chasing close behind. Billard faded quickly and eventually dropped out. Armstrong’s seemingly conservative effort on the bike paid off. At about three miles into the race Armstrong passed Lieto to take the lead. Armstrong held onto to the front position for the majority of the 13.1 miles, but the win was not meant to be his. A fast-running Docherty passed Armstrong in the final mile of the race to post a run split of 1:12:50 and take the win in 3:50:13. Armstrong’s 1:17:01 half marathon earned him second, finishing just 42 seconds behind Docherty. Cunningham earned the final podium spot thanks to a well-rounded day.

PHOTOS: Ironman 70.3 Panama Race Images

Women’s Race
On the women’s side the race started out with several women exiting the water together. Cave led the charge into T1, thanks to a swim time of 20:10. Close behind her were the United States’ Kelly Williamson, the Czech Republic’s Radka Vodickova, the United States’ Dede Griesbauer, Germany’s Nina Kraft, Denmark’s Michelle Vesterby, Canada’s Tenille Hoogland and the United States’ Bree Wee. One of the pre-race favorites, Magali Tisseyre (CAN), had the bad luck of a flat right out T1. With no technical support in sight, Tisseyre dropped out of the race.

As she always does, Cave paired the stellar swim with an equally impressive cycling effort. Her 2:29:13 bike split was easily enough to give her the lead heading onto the run. The only woman to bike faster than Cave was Canadian Angela Naeth, giving her the second position into T2. Next off of the bike were Belgium’s Tine Deckers and the United States’ Margaret Shapiro. Cave ultimately faded, giving Naeth the lead.

The women’s race would ultimately come down to who had the best early-season fitness. Naeth’s 1:21:44 run split was the second best of the women. She crossed the finish line in 4:15:31 to take her second 70.3 title. Williamson posted one of the fastest run splits of the day, men or women, to earn second in 4:19:11. Shapiro, who spends most of her time racing on the ITU circuit, finished in third.

Ironman 70.3 Panamá
Panamá City, Panamá
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 3:50:13
2. Lance Armstrong (USA) 3:50:55
3. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:52:59
4. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 3:53:38
5. Romain Guillaum (FRA) 3:54:44

Women
1. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:15:31
2. Kelly Williamson (USA) 4:19:11
3. Margaret Shapiro (USA) 4:19:34
4. Leanda Cave (GBR) 4:21:42
5. Tine Deckers (BEL) 4:25:29

Complete Ironman 70.3 Panamá results.

Check out our complete coverage from Ironman 70.3 Panamá and come back to Triathlete.com for photos and video from the race.

More from Ironman 70.3 Panama.

After seven years of working together, 2010 Ironman world champion Mirinda Carfrae and coach Siri Lindley will go separate ways. Each announced the split on their respective Facebook pages and sent out the following news release Saturday (Feb. 11) morning.

See the official press release below:

Ironman world champion Mirinda Carfrae and her long-time coach Siri Lindley have ended their professional partnership.  After seven successful years, the pair agreed they have outgrown their coach/athlete relationship.  Their lives, commitments and goals have evolved to where they each need to move in different directions in 2012. They will both need to move in different directions to fulfill differing professional goals and commitments in 2012 and beyond.

During the span of their relationship, Carfrae and Lindley earned numerous world titles together, including the Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2009) and the coveted Ironman World Championship title in Kona (2010), with a record setting run split.  Carfrae went on to place second in Kona in 2011, breaking her own run course record in a time of 2:52:09. Under Lindley’s guidance, Carfrae earned three of the fastest top-10 times ever recorded in Kona. At age 30, and with over 15 Ironman 70.3 wins and three podium finishes at the Ironman World Championships to date, Carfrae intends to continue her domination of the sport well into the next decade.

Lindley, a two-time ITU world champion, recognized Carfrae’s raw talent as an emerging Under-23 athlete at ITU World Championships. Following Carfrae’s win at Nice in 2004 and on the heels of her second place finish at ITU Long Distance World Championships in 2005, the two set out on the road to Kona together, a distance that was new to both of them but in which they were confident Carfrae would excel. During this journey Carfrae emerged not only as the fastest runner in the sport, but also as the most consistent competitor at every distance. Lindley’s fun-loving and passionate approach to coaching combined with Carfrae’s self- discipline, desire and commitment to the sport she loves has indeed proved a winning combination.

“Siri Lindley is an incredible coach.  She has been my trusted mentor and at my side through seven years of truly tough work and amazing accomplishments.  She always had a plan in place and made working together both strategic and fun.  We’ve finally outgrown our professional relationship, but our friendship and mutual respect will last forever,” said Carfrae.

Lindley will continue to coach her Sirius team of athletes and is thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn and grow through her successful collaboration with Carfrae. “Mirinda is the prime example of an athlete having a huge dream, and being willing to do all the work necessary, to make that dream come true. With hard work and determination and incredible commitment, she has achieved these dreams, and will continue to do so in the future. She has become one of the greatest athletes in our sport and I am so very proud of her. I thank Mirinda for her incredible commitment, her passion and the inspiration she has provided me as a coach. It’s been the most incredible, and satisfying journey,” said a thankful Siri.

Carfrae is currently in Noosa, Australia preparing for the inaugural Ironman Melbourne on March 25.  Other highlights of her 2012 schedule will include the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship in Des Moines, Iowa, Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, Ironman 70.3 Eagleman, Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens, Rev3 Quassy and the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

PHOTOS: How Mirinda Carfrae Became an Ironman World Champion

RELATED – From the Inside Triathlon Archives: The Story Of Mirinda Carfrae & Siri Lindley

We chatted with Chrissie to learn more about the personality behind the beauty:

Triathlete.com: How long have you been competing in triathlons?

Chrissie: This summer will mark my third year competing. I grew up doing gymnastics from when I was two until nine. My parents threw me in swimming, deeming it the “safer” of the two. I swam competitively all throughout high school, complete with 4:15 a.m. wake times for before school practices and three and a half hour after school practices. Needless to say, seeing my hair in anything but a wet mop on the top of my head was a rarity.

This took me to NYU where I acted as captain of the varsity swim team my senior year. Once I graduated, I took a much needed break from the water. I started running to stay in shape and one spring my brother and I heard about a half Ironman coming to Providence that summer. With the swimming and running background in place, a few months later, we crossed the finish line and have made it a yearly tradition ever since. Part of this tradition involves my brother confidently declaring he’s going to beat me, and then subsequently getting destroyed. He makes a valiant effort though, I will give him that.

Triathlete.com: What is your proudest accomplishment in the sport?

Chrissie: My proudest accomplishment by far has been the progress made from my first year of competition to my second. With more training, both volume and intensity, I trained my way to a 1:13 PR from my first half Ironman to my second, along with numerous PRs along the way in shorter distances. Really, it’s exciting to push my body to physical and mental limits and I know this summer will mark my best yet.

Triathlete.com: What does it mean to you to move on as a finalist in the contest?

Chrissie: I’m beyond honored to have been chosen among such a group of strong, accomplished men and women who represent the sport of triathlon. Getting here required the help of friends and family, and I honestly feel really humbled and lucky to have such amazing friends reach out from all over to show support.

Triathlete.com: Do you have a background in modeling?

Chrissie: Not unless you count the time my mother made me a midriff bearing Princess Jasmine costume when I was 10 and promptly showed me off to all of her friends.

Triathlete.com: What do you think you’ll spend your $100 from TYR on?

Chrissie: A girl can never have too much spandex, and I have my eye on the TYR Carbon Aeroback Short John.

Triathlete.com: What do you like to do for fun outside of the sport?

Chrissie: When not in compression shorts or my beloved run visor, as an English major, I found teaching a great way to couple my love for reading and working with kids. It’s also nice because you can bring in and teach the never-give-up mentality of triathlon. Granted they’re not doing a brick after a 5000 yard swim, but mastering a skill takes practice and dedication, whether in a sport or life in general.

Rollison wants to gauge her abilities over longer and shorter distances as she looks at racing the Hawaiian Ironman and possibly trying to make the triathlon team for the 2016 Olympics.

The 28-year-old from Brisbane has been a triathlon revelation over the past two years since a succession of injuries forced her to give away international track running.

She has focused on long-course triathlons, winning last year’s world 70.3 title.

Rollison is the favourite for Saturday’s women’s race at the Australian Long Course Championships (2/80/20) at Falls Creek in alpine Victoria, Australia, her first race of the season.

She has been training at the ski resort to prepare for the March 3 Abu Dhabi triathlon, which she is using as a potential stepping stone to the Hawaiian Ironman.

Abu Dhabi features a 3km swim, a 200km cycle and 20km run – on the way to the brutal Ironman distance.

At the other end of the racing spectrum, Rollison will also contest two big Olympic-distance events in the United States this year to see if it might be feasible to target the 2016 Olympics.

Read more: Ninemsn.com.au

Gwen Jorgensen was enjoying the best race of her life. Her swim and bike legs finished, she was running light and fast and strong. She trailed only one competitor, Great Britain’s Helen Jenkins.

With the fourth and final lap to go, it never crossed her mind that she was about to make history. Seventeen months ago, she was a full-time accountant. Now this.

Minutes after crossing the finish line in second place, Jorgensen remembered all the details, except the most important one: She had just won a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.

“I remember turning around and watching the other girls, I remember [U.S. teammate] Sarah Groff coming in and I remember her crossing the finish line and going up to her and saying, ‘Congratulations, you’re on our Olympic team!’” Jorgensen said.

“Going into the race, I knew the qualifications. I knew if I was top-nine or the first or second American, I would qualify, but during the race it never actually crossed my mind. I think I got into such a good zone, I was just racing.”

That race in London was six months ago. A bigger race in London looms just five months away. When the women’s Olympic triathlon is held on the same course on Aug. 4, Jorgensen, 25, can only hope for a repeat performance.

“Honestly, it’s still kind of a shock for me when I wake up in the morning,” she said. “It feels surreal for me. It’s something that keeps me motivated, though, and focused, which is amazing. It’s just a really good blessing to have this upcoming year.”

Read more: Espn.com

More about Gwen Jorgensen.

More videos from Triathlete.com.

Photo: Xterra

Triathlete and Inside Triathlon editors got to chat with Lance Armstrong on the heels of the announcement that he’ll be racing a full season of Ironman 70.3 events, as well as Ironman France. Today the Lance Armstrong Foundation also announced a new partnership with Ironman to raise more than $1 million for people affected by cancer.

Excerpts from our conversation:

On his expectations:
I don’t think it would be prudent for me to have huge ambitions and huge goals in terms of performance. I just need to go in and feel my way through it this weekend [at Ironman Panama 70.3] and then have about 6 or 7 weeks to tweak things if I need to and then do it again in Texas [at Ironman Texas 70.3 in Galveston].

On his ride:
Trek Speed Concept. It’s just your regular Speed Concept disc wheel and probably a 7.0 [Bontrager Aeolus D3 7.0] in the front.

On his training partners:
I swim and run with a lot [of the Austin elite athletes, including pro triathlete James Bonney]. I tend to ride alone, but in the last week I’ve ridden with the Bontrager-Livestrong development team. I swim almost every day with James [Bonney], Brandon Marsh, Amy Marsh… and a bunch of former UT swimmers. A couple days I’ll run with a group of runners and triathletes. There was a track workout Tuesday that Patrick Evoe was at. At Thursday morning runs there’s [pro triathlete] Kelly Williamson, Derek Williamson, David Fuentes (who’s a fast runner), James and Patrick from time to time. The Marshes were there today. You get some of the local talent out. …Jimmy Riccitello is helping with mentoring. It’s an exciting project but also daunting. There’s a lot of stuff that I’ve either completely forgotten or has changed. It’s helpful for me to get a sense of what’s going on currently, whether it’s equipment, whether it’s training, whether it’s the competition…I ask him a lot of those questions. I had a long dialogue with Greg Welch yesterday, just getting background on people, which is always helpful if I’m trying to be conservative in the races I need to know my place and where I fit in.

On doing his first full Ironman distance race:
I’m most worried about anything run related… It’s the [sport] I’ve been away from the longest…adding volume, adding intensity—that’s probably the thing that worries me the most. The one thing that could derail all of this is if you had a nagging injury from running that you just couldn’t get over. I don’t care what anybody says; the run is the most important part of this thing. It comes last and it ends with a marathon. I told someone the other day, “In golf you have your drives, your short game and your putting, and they say, “you drive for show and you put for dough,” but it seems to me in triathlon you ‘ride for show and you run for dough.’ I’ve got to get that right otherwise I’ll be a middle of the packer.

On what’s made the difference for him staying injury free:
I’m a little lucky in the sense that I have a full staff of people around to help, which is maybe not realistic for most people, but basically I have a fulltime person with me everyday that does physical therapy, massage, gets after any problem as soon as it starts. That’s the stuff that I’ve been blessed to have around me in terms of a team. Stuff like plantar fasciitis, you can go on any running blog and see the simple steps that people take, whether it’s the sock or the boot, never walking around barefoot, constantly stretching, the roller or golf ball or tennis ball under your foot—anything you’ve ever read about that injury I did. It seems to have worked for me so far.

On his running:
Jimmy [Riccitello] and I communicate back and forth and prepare a comprehensive training program for all three sports. I think it’s been helpful for me to do these group runs—to go out and run with the likes of Patrick Evoe…or pure marathoners like David Fuentes…essentially they’re like races at the end. Every man for himself and that’s really helped. And then just run repetition—certain days running twice a day and just staying on it…you have to go out and be religious about certain things, including very long runs, which I’ve never done in the past. The final thing about running, which is important in this sport, is body weight…[when you] get to the end of a five- or six-hour effort and start a marathon …every pound at that point matters…makes a huge difference. As my running has ramped up, my body weight has come down, which has helped everything.

RELATED:
- Armstrong Announces 2012 Racing Plans
- Exclusive Photos Of Lance Armstrong’s Return To Tri
- Lance Armstrong: Back To His Roots
- Photos: Lance Armstrong’s Trek Superfly Mountain Bike
- Lance Armstrong Preps For XTERRA USA Championship

By David Monti
(c) 2012 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved. Used with permission.

Thomas Dold of Germany and Melissa Moon of New Zealand won the 35th edition of the Empire State Building Run-Up here last night. This was the first time the race was held at night, and athletes were greeted by a moderate snow squall when they emerged into the cold air outside on the 86th floor observation deck of this city’s tallest building.

Dold, 27, from Stuttgart, won the race for a record seventh time. He climbed the 1576 steps in 10 minutes and 28 seconds, eight seconds ahead of Christian Riedl, a 31 year-old German from Erlangen. Third place went to Mark Bourne, a 38 year-old Australian from Canberra, in 10:55. Former Australian road running star, Darren Wilson of Adelaide, finished fourth.

Dold is now holds more Run-Up victories than anyone, but did not come close to the event record of 9 minutes and 33 seconds set by Australia’s Paul Crake in 2003. Crake, a five-time winner of the event, was paralyzed in 2006 after a cycling accident.

In the women’s contest, Moon won here for the second time (she also won in 2010). The 42 year-old two-time world mountain running champion from Wellington, clocked 12 minutes and 39 seconds, handily beating second place Suzy Walsham, a 38 year-old former middle distance runner from Australia who won this race three times. Walsham, who lives in Singapore, stopped the clock at 13:08. Three-time Ironman world champion Chrissie Wellington of England finished third in her first attempt at the race, and was timed in 13:15. Wellington had only entered the race yesterday morning.

Read more: Competitor.com

RELATED – A Conversation With Chrissie: The Decision To Take Time Away

Two years ago, Ironman approached Bill Burke about purchasing Premier Event Management, his company that produced triathlons and other races across the nation.

Twenty-one months later, Burke has his company back and is once again making his presence felt in the New Orleans triathlon community.

“(Ironman parent company) World Triathlon Corporation offered it back to me, and I jumped at the chance,” Burke said. “I was able to get my company back and still manage all of these events. It’s a good move for both of us.”

Among the first of his moves since getting his company back is to move the date of the Ochsner 5i50 New Orleans. The 5i50, an Olympic-distance triathlon, was to be held on April 22, the same day as the larger Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans. However, because of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Battle of New Orleans culminating that week, Burke said changes needed to be made.

The city will have a Navy week celebration finishing that weekend, and the Blue Angels are going to be doing an air show on Saturday and Sunday (the day of the race) between 1 and 4 p.m.

“Logistically, it made sense not to have both races,” Burke said. “But we have been working with the city on this to provide the best atmosphere possible.”

Now, the 70.3 will start and finish at UNO instead of finishing in City Park, where Burke had moved the race finish to in November.

With the air show happening along Lake Pontchartrain, Burke said it would have been difficult for the racers to finish in City Park, then get back to UNO during that time frame because of the amount of people heading to the lakefront for the air show.

Burke said he has worked with the city to have all of the bikes off the course by noon or a little after, allowing the air show to start at 1 p.m. This also means that anyone still on the course at the time will be running and could possibly finish the race while the Blue Angels are performing above.

Now the 5i50 event — a 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run — will be held June 24, allowing competitors to participate in both races.

Read more: Nola.com

PHOTOS: Exclusive Photos Of Lance Armstrong’s Return To Tri

Check back to Triathlete.com as we continue to follow this developing story and see the press release below.

Today, the Lance Armstrong Foundation announced a new partnership with Ironman to raise more than $1 million for people affected by cancer. Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, champion cyclist and the Foundation’s founder and chairman, will compete as a professional athlete in several Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races this year including Ironman 70.3 Panama, Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, Ironman 70.3 Florida, Ironman 70.3 Hawaii and Ironman France. Armstrong is racing with the goal of qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Oct. 13, 2012, and will be competing as a member of Team LIVESTRONG, which is adding these Ironman races to its endurance events series designed to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

“I am grateful to Ironman for partnering with LIVESTRONG to raise funds and awareness for people affected by cancer,” said Armstrong. “In my career as an athlete and as a cancer advocate, I’ve learned that progress demands partnership, but it’s not without a struggle. And that’s what Team LIVESTRONG is about — it’s about purpose, it’s about challenge and it’s about empowering survivors to fight like hell. There’s progress to be made with cancer and we invite anyone up for the challenge to join Team LIVESTRONG.”

Read more: Marketwatch.com

RELATED – Lance Armstrong: Back To His Roots

Triathlete.com: Are you enjoying your off-season so far?

Linsey Corbin: Very much so. Last year I didn’t take enough of an off-season. I didn’t take it seriously and I learned from my mistakes. It’s been fun. In November I really enjoyed time with my family and enjoyed being an aunt, since my sister had just had a baby. In December I really enjoyed Montana. I tried to spend time in the snow and mountains with no training at all. I actually didn’t ride a bike for the whole month of December. In January we came out to Tucson and I’ve been getting in lots of base miles. I’m just getting my fitness under my legs and getting used to some new bikes. Last year I did Pucon and I didn’t give myself a break. I did Ironman Arizona and started training again pretty much right away and got injured in May. I wanted to change that this year. It’s been nice to relax and not have the stress of training.

Triathlete.com: What’s the winter training scene in Tucson like?

Corbin: I’ve been coming back and forth to Tucson. Last year we came for two months and this year we came for three. The weather has been amazing. It’s basically guaranteed that you can ride your bike outside everyday. There’s a great group of people out here. You can easily train on your own or mix it up with other pro triathletes. I also have friends from Montana down here at the Cycling House. It’s a good balance down here.

PHOTOS: Linsey Corbin Gets Fit To Her Speed Concept At Retul

Triathlete.com: Tell me about the choice to transition to Trek?

Corbin: The end of last year I started to look at other opportunities because my Scott contract was up. I’ve always had my eye on Trek. You look at the fastest riders in our sport and see what they’re doing and a lot of them are riding Trek. Trek was the first bike I rode. We approached them and the more I learned, the more I liked the idea. I spent December talking to them and went out for a visit and came to the conclusion that it would be a good fit.

Triathlete.com: You visited the guys at Retul (see photos here) in Boulder yesterday. Did you make any significant adjustments to your fit?

Corbin: Obviously the bike feels a lot different. The biggest change we made was on my saddle. Last year I was riding with my saddle too low. I was losing power at the bottom of my pedal stroke. I also had tightness in my right hip, which is where my injury came from. We also changed my position in the aerobars. Overall being fit to a different bike was the biggest change.

Triathlete.com: What will be your first big race of the year?

Corbin: I’m going to be racing Ironman 70.3 San Juan in March.

Triathlete.com: It looks like you have Ironman Austria on your schedule for 2012. Why Austria?

Corbin: I’ve done a lot of North American Ironmans. They are awesome, but I wanted to try something out of my comfort zone. I’ve never been to Europe before. There’s no time like the present. I might as well take the bull by the horns. I’m going to race Arizona at the end of the year and hopefully I’ll be back at Hawaii again. Between those two I’ll have a good balance of racing in North America. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about racing in Europe, and this race has been on my bucket list. I figured I might as well give it a go.

Triathlete.com: You’ve raced at the Ironman World Championship six times now. How will you approach the build into this year’s race?

Corbin: I need to keep improving on the swim. I had my personal worst swim in 2011. It’s tough because you are working overtime if you come out of the swim behind. My pool times are fast. My pool times are where they should be. I’ve also learned you can’t live and die by Kona. I’ve put less pressure on that race. I’m going to go back to loving racing and racing a lot. Racing where I want takes away the pressure of having an “A” race. That’s not to say I don’t want to win Kona. I just want to focus on on other goals I have also. Hopefully it will lead to success in Kona. I also want to continue focusing on becoming a stronger cyclist. It’s already my strength and I’d like to keep building on it.

Triathlete.com: Obviously Chrissie Wellington won’t be on the start line in Kona this year. As a top female pro on the Ironman scene, what do you think of her decision?

Corbin: I can’t say that I’m shocked. She has taken a different career path than everyone else by winning every Ironman she’s done. I can understand her wanting to take a break or step away while she’s got a great legacy. I can see where she’s coming from. I think she’s caused all of us to step up our game. Everyone is producing stronger results than they were in the past. She set a bar for us and we’ll be chasing that bar whether she’s racing or not. It’s going to make the race more exciting. There’s going to be a new Ironman world champion next year. We know it’s going to be a race. Look at women like Mirinda and Julie, who are willing to take more of a risk to get the win.

Triathlete.com: You’ve finished second at Ironman Arizona three years in a row. Is it a goal of yours to win that race?

Corbin: Definitely. The first time I raced there it was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t have a good race in Kona so I’ll go there.’ I never thought I’d have a tie to Ironman Arizona, but I’ve found that I really love that race. I’m going to keep going back until I get the win. I don’t take no for an answer. For sure Arizona is on the list for this year.

Photo: Kevin LaClaire

She’s conquered the lava fields of Kona and now Chrissie Wellington will tackle one of one of the most iconic buildings in the world: the Empire State Building. According the New York Road Runners (NYRR), the four-time Ironman World Champion will join the field of 650 at tonight’s Empire State Building Run-Up, a dizzying 86-story climb to the skyscraper’s Observatory.

Although Wellington is taking a break from Ironman competitions, she hinted at a luncheon promoting her soon-to-be-released memoir A Life Without Limits yesterday that she still plans on racing other forms of endurance events. But even Wellington herself didn’t know she’d kick off her 2012 season so soon, until John Korff, race director of the Nautica New York City Triathlon and the 2012 U.S. Ironman Championships, suggested she give the Run-Up a whirl.

“Why take the elevator when you can run?,” said Wellington. “I couldn’t be in New York City and not seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take the stairs to the top of the Empire State Building and soak up the amazing bird’s eye view, with a healthy dose of masochism thrown in!”

PHOTOS: Chrissie Wellington’s Inside Triathlon Photo Shoot

Korff, himself a ten-time Run-Up finisher and age-group record holder in the event, says the key to conquering this unique event are strong quads and the ability to run into oxygen debt—two components Wellington certainly does not lack. “It’s all about how much you’re willing to sustain, how hard you can run when you can’t breathe,” said Korff. “It’s hard to say how Chrissie will do, she may just have some fun with it. But I imagine if she turns on those competitive juices, she can win.”

But she’ll face some tough competition:  The elite field will be headlined by four-time champ Cindy Harris and three-time winner Suzy Walsham, a former 800- and 1500-meter specialist on the track. The women’s record, set in 2006 by Andrea Mayr, is 11:23.

USA Triathlon is pleased to announce the inaugural winners of the USA Triathlon Multisport Awards. Honors were presented in six different categories designed to recognize those individuals who best fueled the multisport lifestyle during the 2011 season.

“In reviewing the nominations for each of the awards, the judges were humbled by the stories of courage, strength, determination, discipline, recovery and inspiration,” said John Jones, chairman of the USA Triathlon Age Group Committee Multisport Awards Subcommittee. “Each of these award recipients, and the nominees receiving honorable mention, have in their own way shown a unique and exceptional passion and dedication to the multisport lifestyle.”

USA Triathlon’s Age Group Committee Multisport Awards Subcommittee reviewed all nominations and selected the winners and honorable mentions for each award. Full details on the criteria for each award and nomination instructions are available at usatriathlon.org.

The 2011 USA Triathlon Multisport Award winners and honorable mention selections are as follows:

JEFF JEWELL SPIRIT AWARD
This award honors Jeff Jewell, a massage therapist for Team USA from 2001-2009, active triathlete and devoted USA Triathlon annual member. He lost his battle with brain cancer on Nov. 15, 2010. He was one of life’s biggest cheerleaders and was an inspiration to everyone he met. The recipient of this award is someone who truly embodies the spirit of Jeff Jewell.

* Winner: Jennifer Kilinski, Tallahassee, Fla.: An inspiration to Florida’s triathletes, Jennifer Kilinski loves to compete, inspire and encourage others who have faced adversity.

* Honorable Mention: Eve Bartlett, Dunedin, Fla.
* Honorable Mention: Stephen Williamson, Albuquerque, N.M.

INSPIRATIONAL COMEBACK AWARD
This award recognizes athletes who have made a comeback to the sport after a traumatic or troublesome personal situation.

* Winner: Maureen McGowan, Brooklyn, N.Y.: Maureen McGowan is a cancer survivor who emerged from treatment, signed up for a triathlon and has continued to encourage other patients and lead by example.
* Winner: Jordan Rapp, Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Jordan Rapp’s training accident, recovery and return to race-winning form is an inspiration to triathletes around the world.
* Winner: Katherine Rivera, Miami Shores, Fla.: Katherine Rivera came back from severe injuries sustained in a scooter accident while on vacation in Greece to place sixth in her age group at Ironman 70.3 Miami.
* Winner: Melissa Stockwell, Chicago, Ill.: Melissa Stockwell lost her left leg above the knee in 2004, while serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq. Melissa is now a two-time paratriathlon world champion in the TRI-2 category. She has started a non-profit in Chicagoland with the mission of getting athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairment involved in triathlon.
* Winner: Sean VanGerena, Orlando, Fla.: Sean VanGerena had begun triathlon training before a devastating car accident. Since recovering, Sean has participated in triathlons of all distances and has launched his own non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitation and training.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award recognizes an individual or organization whose volunteer leadership in the multisport movement has been transformative and who has mobilized and unified athletes, programs and organizations that improve the events, youth or others affiliated with the sport.

* Winner: Chuck Graziano, Ramsey, N.J.: Chuck Graziano has served in several key roles for USA Triathlon including the National Board of Directors, the Hall of Fame Committee and the Age Group Committee.
* Winner: Beth Sanden, San Clemente, Calif.: Beth Sanden is a multisport coach, leader and advocate for physically challenged athletes.

* Honorable Mention Kevin Collins, Charlotte, N.C.
* Honorable Mention: Keri Schindler and Dan Tun, Chicago, Ill.

SPIRIT OF MULTISPORT AWARD
This award recognizes those individuals who illustrate the principles of the positive spirit of the sport as displayed through acts of sportsmanship and leadership in multisport, with no deference to athletic ability.

* Winner: Janit Romayko, East Hartford, Conn.: Janit Romayko is an experienced, enthusiastic, compassionate female triathlete who has been active in the sport since the 1980s.

* Honorable Mention: Joella Baker, Harmony, Pa.
* Honorable Mention: Elyse Jarard, Cincinnati, Ohio
* Honorable Mention: Jonathan W. Miller, Winston-Salem, N.C.
* Honorable Mention: Chris Mosier, New York, N.Y.

MILITARY SPORT AWARD
This award recognizes the multisport successes achieved by the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

* Winner: Michael Danish, Miami Fla., U.S. Coast Guard: Michael Danish is a sub 10-hour Ironman triathlete who has represented the Coast Guard in a number of international sports venues.
* Winner: Jolene Wilkinson, Boise, Idaho, U.S. Air Force Reserve/Guard: Jolene Wilkinson is a two-time junior national champion, two-time age group world champion and competed as a professional from 2001-2010.

* Honorable Mention: Cpt. Christopher Cordova, West Point, N.Y., U.S. Army
* Honorable Mention: Lt. J.g. Derek Oskutis, Chula Vista, Calif., U.S. Navy

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to USA Triathlon and the multisport lifestyle. These contributions, whether they have been in performance, leadership, volunteerism or mentorship, must demonstrate impact on the multisport lifestyle and support an extended commitment to the sport.

* Winner: Fox Ferrel, Marietta, Ga.: Richard “Fox” Ferrel has been actively involved in multisport for more than 25 years. In that time, he has participated in more than 200 triathlons and duathlons.
* Winner: Tom Miller, Scottsdale, Ariz.: One of the most decorated U.S. multisport athletes, 94-year-old Tom Miller is a six-time duathlon world champion and a three-time national champion. 

Armstrong is again tweeting cryptic messages that may reveal plans for his next triathlon, this time suggesting Ironman Panama 70.3 this Sunday. On Tuesday morning he tweeted a link to a Van Halen music video for the song “Panama.” At first glance it seems a shaky connection, but consider an earlier tweet from Jan. 8: “Reading @nytimes travel section. Rates top 45 places to travel to in 2012. Panama is # 1. Hmm, interesting.”

PHOTOS: Exclusive Photos Of Lance Armstrong’s Return To Tri

We know that he’s been hard at work swimming, biking and running via Twitter updates like this one from a week ago:

“Great training day. 2600 in the pool, 85 miles on the bike, then 5 mi run straight off the bike…”

If he does toe the line this Sunday, he’ll find strong competition in friend and fellow cycling star Chris Lieto, as well as Rasmus Henning, T.J. Tollakson, Bert Jammaer, Matty Reed and Jesse Thomas.

Stay tuned for updates and reports from the Triathlete.com crew in Panama this weekend.

RELATED: Lance Armstrong Case Closed

Rhymes with diamonds: It doesn’t really bother me when people mispronounce my name, but I know my grandpa would be mad if he heard them. My friends want me to adopt the nickname “Jeff Diamond Symonds” so people will get it right.

Sin City dash: I was in Vegas once before the world championship—on a four-hour layover. I decided to run from the airport to the Strip. Being from Penticton you just don’t get to see the big buildings and stuff. Plus I figured one guy had to be the worst dressed in Vegas that day. With run shorts, black compression socks and a souvenir T-shirt from “The Hangover” that I bought at the airport—why not me?

1:13:33: Everyone kept saying, “Where the hell did that come from?” But I’ve always had the good run—it’s just being able to be there after the bike to use it. Last year I did Oceanside 70.3. Michael Raelert, Matt Reed, Richie Cunningham, Tim O’Donnell and Rasmus Henning were all there, and I had the fastest run split. But getting third in Vegas was a surprise to me, too. I definitely don’t think people should have been thinking about me before the race. My mom didn’t even pick me in the top three.

Domestic disturbance: My mom and my girlfriend were home watching the race on Ironmanlive.com. They were cheering so loud that the neighbors called to ask if they were OK.

Move over, Hugh Hefner: After the race, someone asked me if being third in the world changed anything with the ladies. I told him in Vegas there were literally guys handing me cards of girls who wanted to meet me.

Bringing home the bacon: I usually work 25–28 hours a week at the Bike Barn. The pro would be that I like eating a lot. The con would be that I could spend that time training or recovering.

Yo, Adrian: Rocky’s the kind of guy everybody wants to be like. He’s this total underdog, hustling and stuff, but he gets a shot at the title. That’s what kind of attracted me to the sport of triathlon. Out there in Vegas, 1500 people had a shot at the title. I may not have got the win, but I’m the guy who works really hard part-time at the bike store, and I had that chance. It was pretty cool.

PHOTOS: Ironman World Championship 70.3