Much has been said and written that the conditions under which competitors at May's Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas perform are similar and conducive for success at the Ironman World Championships held each October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
So how did this year's age group winners at the third annual Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas fare?
Quite well actually. Three (3) won their age group or division while another trio finish second, including Great Britian's Rachel Joyce who was second overall and five minutes behind champion Mirinda Carfrae.
Another three finished in the top ten in their age group, while nine (9) overall posted better times in Kona than they did here in Texas.
Men
Pro
2013 - 8:25:06, Paul Amey, 39, Cardiff, CA (GBR)
Kona - 8:39:20, Paul Amey - 17th overall
18-24
2013 - 10:24:30, Frederik Andersen, 24, Roskilde, DNK
Kona - 10:04:20, Frederik Anderson - 24th in age group
25-29
2013 - 8:58:09, Clay Emge, 29, Tyler, TX*
Kona - 8:47:36, Clay Emge - 1st in age group
30-34
2013 - 8:53:44, James Chesson, 33, Bedminster, NJ
Kona - 8:56:23, James Chesson - 6th in age group
35-39
2013 - 9:12:21, Daniel Stubleski, 37, Washington, MI
Kona - 8:46:26, Daniel Stubleski - 2nd in age group
40-44
2013 - 9:36:27, Bond Almand, 40, Maryville, TN
Kona - 9:51:34, Bond Almand - 87th in age group
45-49
2013 - 9:36:52, Kevin Dessart, 45, Colorado Springs, CO
Kona - 9:23:22, Kevin Dessart - 8th in age group
50-54
2013 - 9:56:39, Rusty Robertson, 51, Wrightwood, CA
Kona - 9:53:29, Rusty Robertson - 15th in age group
55-59
2013 - 10:58:41, Shigy Suzuki, 55, Ventura, CA
Kona - 12:36:14, Shigy Suzuki - 60th in age group
60-64
2013 - 11:27:50, Michael Waldau, 60, Houston, TX
Kona - 11:53:19, Michael Waldau - 17th in age group
65-69
2013 - 11:54:01, Hermann Hefti, 65, Schoenenberg, CHE*
Kona - 11:22:00, Hermann Hefti - 2nd in age group
70-74
2013 - 14:27:37, Vic Birtalan, 70, Goleta, CA*
Kona - DNF, Vic Birtalan
Women
Pro
2013 - 8:49:14, Rachel Joyce, 35, South Cave, GBR*
Kona - 8:57:28, Rachel Joyce - 2nd overall
18-24
2013 - 12:01:48, Marleigh Hill, 23, Boulder, CO
Kona - 12:02:06, Marleigh Hill - 23rd in age group
25-29
2013 - 10:34:27, Erin Humsi, 28, Atlanta, GA
Kona - 10:13:28, Erin Humsi - 9th in age group
30-34
2013 - 10:47:21, Helle Wehl, 32, Frederiksberg, DNK
Kona - 11:14:12, Helle Wehl - 53rd in age group
35-39
2013 - 10:18:34, Emily Kratz, 35, Minneapolis, MN
Kona - 10:22:08, Emily Kratz - 18th in age group
40-44
2013 - 10:25:14, Lotty Harari, 43, Panama
Kona - DNF, Lotty Harari
45-49
2013 - 10:47:13, Heather Jorris, 45, The Woodlands, TX*
Kona - 11:15:30, Heather Jorris - 20th in age group
50-54
2013 - 11:18:37, Kelly Luttmer, 50, Coppell, TX*
Kona - 11:28:35, Kelly Luttmer - 13th in age group
55-59
2013 - 11:24:55, Jeni Winegarner, 56, Anchorage, AK
Kona - 10:33:10, Jeni Winegarner - 1st in age group
60-64
2013 - 12:11:17, Beverly Watson, 60, Priddis, AB*
Kona - 11:50:41, Beverly Watson - 1st in age group
65-69
2013 - 16:07:22, Susan "Cookie" Thompson, 67, Sugar Land, TX
Kona - Did not register.
