Sunday – In a dramatic race down under on Sunday, Penticton’s (Canada) Jeff Symonds became the 2015 Ironman Asia Pacific Champion, winning Ironman Melbourne in a blistering 8:04:29. With perfect execution, he steadily made his way to the front throughout the race until he grabbed the lead on the run. Symonds has been posting among the fastest marathon times in his races and today was no exception with a 2:44 marathon time. That put his run time five minutes ahead of the second fastest split of 2:49 which second place Timothy Van Berkel and Brad Kahlefeldt both of Australia, ran to finish in 8:07:57 and 8:09:21 respectively. Symonds exited the 4km swim in 49:40 about three minutes behind the lead group but rode a powerful 4:27. Only two other men rode faster with Germany’s Nils Frommhold going 4:16. Frommhold’s fast bike seems to have taken the sting out of his legs as he eventually finished 6th. Van Berkel rode less than 15 seconds faster than Symonds. With a calm resolve, Symonds picked off the runners ahead of him for the biggest win of his career. Winning today guarantees him a spot in Kona. source: Triathlon Magazine Canada