KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Craig Alexander won the Ironman World Championship on Saturday, making a late surge to win the triathlon for the second straight year.
The 36-year-old Australian completed the 140.6-mile endurance test in 8 hours, 20 minutes and 21 seconds, beating California’s Chris Lieto by more than two minutes.
Britain’s Chrissie Wellington earned her third straight women’s title, finishing in a course record 8:54:02. She broke Paula Newby- Fraser‘s mark of 8:55:28 set in 1992.
Alexander became the first to defend the men’s title since Timothy DeBoom in 2002.
He stayed in the hunt in the 2.4-mile swim and 112-mile bike ride before overtaking Lieto with about 5 miles remaining in the 26.2-mile run. Fighting off cramps, Lieto couldn’t keep pace.
MLS: Earthquakes earn tie
TORONTO — Cornell Glen scored an injury-time goal and the San Jose Earthquakes earned a 1-1 Major League Soccer tie with Toronto FC.
• Gino Padula scored a first-half goal as the Columbus Crew clinched first place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 victory over the host New England Revolution.
Colts’ Sanders might play today
INDIANAPOLIS — Bob Sanders traveled with the Indianapolis Colts to Tennessee and could play in today’s game against the Titans.
Sanders has been listed as doubtful. He has not played in a game all season and did not practice until Wednesday.
Cornerback Marlin Jackson did not travel because of pain in his surgically repaired left knee.
• Wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is questionable for New York Jets’ game against the Miami Dolphins today.
Footnotes.
Rafael Nadal lost in the semifinals of the China Open, falling 6-1, 6-3 to Marin Cilic.
The eighth-seeded Croat cruised past the Spaniard, setting up a final against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who beat Sweden’s Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-3.
In the women’s draw, Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Russian compatriot Nadia Petrova, 6-1, 6-3, to move into the final against 12th- seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, who downed France’s Marion Bartoli, 6-4, 6-3.
• Israel Vazquez (44-4, 30 KOs) overcame a rocky start and a nasty cut to stop Angel Priolo (30-8) in the ninth round in Los Angeles.
• Golden State Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson has been suspended for two exhibition games for conduct detrimental to the team.
• Sacramento Kings swingman Francisco Garcia will miss at least four months after surgery on his injured forearm and wrist.
• Magical Fantasy took the lead in midstretch and went on to win the $300,000 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
Also, Zenyatta won the $300,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes.
• Court Vision edged Karelian in a photo finish to win the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and earned an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup.
The Associated Press
