Kona Men's Winner Poll

Top three men will be

1. Raelert

2. Alexander

3. Lieto

I fully expect Lieto to blow up on the run as he does every year, no matter how he tries to spin how improved he is. 

My guess would be Alexander, but even with Raelert not being 100% - did you SEE him run last year??? Holy dayum was that ever impressive! 

I'm a big Raynard fan, but what about Lance??

It will be live on ironmanlive.com, make sure you're using IE and have silverlight installed first.

Why does it take 2 months to get this out? It would probably take less time for the winner to swim bike or run home then it will for NBC to air it. They should air it live that would be cool.

Because that is the edited, repackaged, human interest story version. The live version is at ironmanlive.com. I would surmise that NBC isn't willing to broadcast a 9 hour long event live that the majority of the population won't be interested in watching on a saturday.

There is a lot to like about Raelert.

Firstly, he is the fastest Ironman on earth, owning a scintillating 7:41:33 at Challenge Roth in 2011. It was July and conditions were mild relative to Kona though.

This Saturday's weather forecast is for "10 M.P.H. winds" according to weather.com. High is 85 degrees Farhenheit but the UV index is "10+ High" so it is going to be a war of attrition on the run.

A big risk this year- if light winds prevail and traditional tactical thinking does not- is for athletes to go too hard on the bike. Since it is possible the run will be so difficult because of the high temps and low winds some athletes may be goated into taking some very tired legs into the final 2-3 hours.

While I like Raelert, he may not fare will in this run environment.

Advantage: Alexander.

As for the women, well, how much do you think Chrissie will win by?

I voted the same.  It would only be a stunner to those who don't pay much attention.

1. Alexander

2. Marino V.

3. Raelert

Tissink is not racing.

I was just going to post a similar note.   I'm surprised Vanhoenacker isn't getting more recognition.  

I predict Crowie and then Pete Jacobs. Looks like it's going to be a hot run and these two guys are the ones who excel in the heat.

Crowie will save 6 minutes or more with his new bike/aero helmet changes, so look for an 8:10 out of him this year.

As for Lieto, I predict that he will burn it up even faster than before on the bike and then blow up even sooner on the run.

Americans are psyched to Lieto got 25th