Kelowna senior wins title at Ironman world championship in Hawaii

Turning 65 was no deterrent for this world-class Kelowna triathlete.

Laurelee Nelson, 65, of Kelowna was the first woman to cross the finish line in the 65 to 69 age group at the 41st Vega Ironman World Championship on Hawaii’s Big Island Oct. 12, according to a media release.

Nelson finished the event with a time of 12 hours, 47 minutes and 52 seconds, more than 20 minutes ahead of her closest competitor in the field of 28 women. The race started and finished in Kailua-Kona.

She did the 2.4-mile swim in 1:33:34, cycled 112 miles in 6:33:59 and did the 26.2 mile run in 4:26:44.

There were 2,446 triathletes who finished the race, out of 95,000 world-wide who tried to qualify.

Nelson automatically qualifies to defend her title next year.

Complete results can be found here.

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