John Pendergrass successfully completed Ironman Switzerland July 17th, 2005, finishing 7th in his age group. John reports that it was very hot. The lake was clear and calm, but the bike course was a hilly loop that you repeated 3 times. He is going to spend several weeks touring Switzerland while he recovers from the event. Check the Ironman Switzerland site for complete details. See the age group 60-64 Results.






John Pendergrass is the first Mississippian across the finish line

After four placings (twice second and twice third ), Christoph Mauch (SUI) crossed the line first ahead of John Pendergrass and five times winner Olivier Bernhard (SUI) to mark his first win at IRONMAN SWITZERLAND 2005. Ladies Cycling World Champion Karin Thürig (SUI) set up a new course record and ended the race ahead of the competition in a world class time.

The 1,400 athletes from 49 nations started the race punctually at 07:00 hrs to deafening cheers from some of the 10,000 spectators who lined the courses. St. Peter smiled upon the athletes and showed himself from his best side by granting excellent weather even in the early morning hours. (John reports that it may have been excellent weather for watching, but was very hot for the competitors.)

In the mens´ class, the two Swiss athletes Christoph Mauch (33) and Olivier Bernhard began their exciting head-to-head race during the swim event and continued it during the bike race. The Australian Mitch Anderson, who, last year, missed equalising Normal Stadler´s (GER) bike record by a minute, did his best to keep up with them but on the run course 37 year old Anderson had to cede the lead to the Swiss athletes after a few kilometers. During the last race of his career in Switzerland, Olivier Bernhard was unable to keep up with Christoph Mauch´s high pace on the second lap of the run and lost the decisive metres. To the wild cheers of the crows, Christoph Mauch reached the finishing line about eight minutes ahead of his long-time rival. Besides his two fourth places at Ironman Hawaii in 1998 and 1999, this win is certainly the most important win of the ewz power team
athlete.

Ladies Cycling World Champion and Athens Olympics bronze medal winner, Karin Thürig dominated the race at will. Already in the swim event she put up a new personal best time with 58:28 and was over 15 minutes (!!) faster than she was at last year´s IRONMAN Hawaii. On the bike course she achieved a new course record (4:48.08) and put the second fastest girl 20 minutes behind her. Despite small problems on the run course she crossed the finishing line after a world class total time of 9:10 hrs and is thrilled to have qualified for the IRONMAN Triathlon World Championships to be held on 15th October 2005 in Hawaii. There she will no doubt see Olivier Bernhard, who wishes to end his career with a good result in Hawaii.

More than 10,000 spectators followed this year´s IRONMAN
SWITZERLAND, lining the courses and ensuring an amazing atmosphere. Karin Thürig and numerous other athletes were deeply affected by the public´s reaction which transformed places such as Heartbreak Hill to scenes reminiscent of the Tour de France. It is thanks to the public and the countless untiring helpers that the number of retirements remained at a minimum despite the heat and sunshine.