New Zealand's Cameron Brown and Gina Crawford both raced superbly to secure top-five finishes at the Challenge Roth ironman in Germany overnight.
Ten-time Ironman New Zealand champion Brown was strong on the swim and bike but felt the effects of his efforts on the run. He dug deep, however, and was able to come away with a well-earned fourth place.
"I had a pretty good day here," he said. "Good swim, rode with the leaders until 20km to go, then I started to tire and had an average run to take fourth place.
"Not a bad result five weeks after Cairns Ironman but more [recovery] time needed when your 40."
In the women's field, new mother Crawford raced her second ironman distance event in two weeks after finishing second at Ironman France.
At Challenge Roth she went below nine hours and ran well to also come home in fourth place.
"Two iron distance races in two weeks completed! Pretty stoked, was tough though for sure!" Crawford wrote on Twitter.
The overall titles were won by James Cunnama of South Africa and Great Britain's Rachel Joyce.
Results from the Challenge Roth ironman race in Germany overnight.-
Men: James Cunnama (RSA) 7:59:59, 1; Timo Bracht (GER) 8:03:28, 2; Mike Aigroz (SUI) 8:08:01, 3; Cameron Brown (NZL) 8:10:05, 4; Stephen Bayliss (GBR) 8:13:01, 5. Also: Jamie Whyte (NZL) 10:36:38, 16.
Women: Rachel Joyce (GBR) 8:45:04, 1; Sonja Tajsich (GER) 8:49:47, 2; Julia Gajer (GER) 8:57:02, 3; Gina Crawford (NZL) 8:59:35, 4; Britta Martin (GER) 9:01:10, 5.
