Ironman Lake Tahoe 2013 – Analyzing Results

Race Conditions

With IM Lake Tahoe, WTC is trying to establish another North American Ironman race. From what I’ve heard, the setting is really beautiful, but in the last few days before the race there was a lot of chatter about the weather. Apparently, the night before the race it was snowing and there were freezing temperatures. The race went on as planned, and other than the need to put on some extra clothes after the swim conditions were cold but okay on race day.

The swim was cold but not all that slow, and adjustment of -2:41 is similar to what we see in Wisconsin. A lot of age groupers were shaking after the swim, but I haven’t heard any horror stories from the Pros. Pros are usually a bit reluctant to bundle up for the bike and can easily run into hypothermia issues, but a lot of them were putting on bike jackets, leg warmers and even full gloves. This may have contributed to a slow bike, but the altitude and course profile probably had a much bigger influence of the adjustment of -21:14. From what I’ve heard, the run was pretty flat, and that’s reflected in the marathon times and an adjustment of 2:25 which is pretty typical for the North American IM races. Overall, IM Lake Tahoe 2013 has an adjustment of -22:38. For now, it is the slowest long distance course, but that may change once we have another race with “warmer” conditions. Also, the race in Wales was even slower this year (adjustment of -30:15).

Male Race Results

Maik Twelsiek was in the first group after the swim and quickly took the lead on the bike. However, he was not able to shake Chris McDonald. Even though Maik had a 3:03 marathon (a faster than expected run for him), Chris won the race by posting a 2:59 marathon. Joe Gambles took the last place on the podium.

Female Race Results

The women’s race was even closer than the men’s race: The final, decisive move by Asa Lundström came within the last miles of the run when she passed Jeanne Collonge who was in the lead for the most part of the run. Cat Morrison was probably happy to finish on the podium in her comeback race.