Jim Cresswell exited the 2.4 mile swim in a stunning 26th place in 53:12, followed by Ian Hughes in 1:04:34, Russell Carter in 1:05:12 and Martin Lugg 1:22:52Lanzarote has a reputation for Ironman’s toughest bike section (112 miles) with more than 2,600m of climbing and today winds of up to 25mph did the riders no favours as they enjoyed (?) riding up through the spectacular lava fields of Timanfaya (the fire mountain), down the coast past Club La Santa, across the top of the beach at Famara and the endless uphill drag to Teguise. From here the first mountain of Haria is climbed to around 700m before a screaming descent round rock walled hairpin bends leads to the next challenge up Mirador del Rio. The rewards are some fantastic views and the potential for suicidal speeds coming down to Arrieta and a flat time trial like section where the wind now becomes a tail wind (instead of blowing in your face for the first 60 miles). Following last years changed route to take in 300m of extra bonus climbing, the rider’s head inland before cruising back along the coast into transition at Puerto del Carmen.Jim was in first for an impressive bike split of 6:11:35 despite reports of being sick on Haria. Ian came next with 6:21:35, followed by Russell who suffered cramp at La Santa in 7:19:00 and Martin suffering with his cold for a 7:25:15 bike split.The 26.2 mile run course is a relatively flat out-and-back 4 lap affair along the shore of Puerto del Carmen. The thing that makes it tough is it is completely shade less and a little warm at 31 degrees C for this edition of the race.Having by now discovered this year’s race was some what harder than last year due to the weather, all four DTC members started running well but positions soon swapped as Jim cramped, Ian kept going on with a smile, Russell cramped again and was sick and Martin just kept on moving at a steady pace. Eventually all four finished to be greeted by race director Kenneth Gasque with a handshake & medal.

That’s why it’s called the toughest Ironman in the world!