Germany's Patrick Lange wins gold in first IRONMAN attempt

THE WOODLANDS, Texas — German athletes took first place in both the men’s and women’s Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas Saturday, May 14, in an event that taxed athletes with almost every conceivable weather challenge.

In his first IRONMAN competition, Patrick Lange, took the gold with a final time of 7:13:13.

Lange overtook his competitors around the seven-mile point of the marathon, building out an eight-minute lead over the second-place finisher.

Andrew Starykowicz led substantially during the bike segment with over a 10-minute lead, cycling at a pace of 27 mph between miles 31 and 54; averaging approximately 30 mph after the 94-mile bike portion. See brief video. Starykowicz later pulled up in the run with a pinched nerve.

Men's finish:

1)7:13:13 Patrick Lange
2)7:21:56 Matt Russell
3)7:25:55 Terenzo Bozzone
4)7:28:30 Jeremy Jurkiewicz
5)7:30:59 Clemente Alonso-Mcker

In the women's competition, American Laura Brandon had an early lead after the swimming portion, finishing in 48 minutes and 32 seconds; the fastest time of any of the competitors male or female. Brandon’s average speed in the bike portion was 22 mph, but German athlete, Julia Gajer, overtook Brandon during the fifth mile of the marathon. A seasoned Ironman competitor, Gajer previously placed second at the 2015 Ironman European Championship.

Women's Finish:

1) 8:11:01 Julia Gajer
2) 8:16:30 Jodie Robertson
3) 8:17:58 Lisa Roberts
4) 8:22:06 Kelly Williamson
5) 8:29:29 Alicia Kaye

The majority of the competitors were off the course when a severe thunderstorm moved through the The Woodlands producing lightning and heavy rainfall, to the dismay of those who hadn’t complete the competition. Heat, humidity, and torrential rain, make the IRONMAN in The Woodlands among one of the most grueling on the circuit. Those who compete in it, definitely earn the title Ironman. For complete results visit the IRONMAN Texas website.