On a course that is known to break even the most seasoned Ironman athlete for its brutal conditions, the 2012 Ironman World Championships was no exception. In fact if anything this year was one of the hardest in recent memory leaving carnage everywhere along the way. In these conditions, QT2 athletes excelled!

Beginning with the swim, which was considered to be much slower than years past for the 27 QT2 Systems athletes racing, things didn't get any easier once on the bike and out on the Queen K.

The heat and winds out on the Queen K highway to and from Hawi (pronounced Havi), made the course feel more like the "blast furnace" it is known for. When word hit town that PRO Chris McCormack had abandoned the race just before mile 60 on the road everyone knew things were difficult out on the course.

Once onto the run the heat and humidity made running a marathon, well, a "special" experience for most athletes.

For QT2 PRO Caitlin Snow that didn't seem to faze her. As has come to be expected from Cait, once on the run she moved thru the field passing competitors like they were out on a Sunday stroll. Her marathon time of 3:03:06 was the second fastest of the day good for a 9th place finish overall.

In his first Kona experience, QT2 PRO Pedro Gomes put down a solid, 8:56:10 good enough for 26th. Pedro looks forward to returning in 2013 to step his performance up a level.

In the age group race results were unbelievable. 18 of the 27 QT2 athletes racing (67%) had sub 11-hour performances. 12 of the 27 athletes had sub 10:30 performances. And 4 of the 27 (15%), had sub 10-hour performances.

Congratulations to everyone for finishing this race whether outcome related goals were accomplished or not. Special congratulations, however, should go to the three QT2 age-group athletes who took the stage at the awards banquet to receive their top-five awards.

Alex Begg from San Diego, CA was 5^th in the M50-54 category with a time of 10:03:42. He had the fastest swim time of his division in 56:22, the fastest bike in 5:09:41 and the 5^th fastest run split in 3:48:02.

Jocelyn Cornman from Sewickley, Pennsylvania was 5^th in the F30-34 category with a time of 10:17:59. Her marathon time of 3:16:55 was the fastest split of the day.

Fred Silverblatt from North Kingston, Rhode Island was 5^th in the M75-79 age-group with a time of 15:50:42. His swim of 1:51:05 was the 6^th fastest of the day. His bike split of 7:45:10 was the 6^th fastest in the group while his run of 5:53:25 was 5^th fastest.

Some final statistics for the team:

• 18 men competed vs. 9 women
• Average age was 42.5
  
• In all, QT2 put 14 first time Kona participants on the starting line!

As always, thanks again to all of our sponsors who continue to help us succeed in all aspects of the sport; a special thanks again to Blue Seventy, for sponsoring the pre-race carbo-load breakfast on Friday morning. In addition, special thanks to FuelBelt, who assisted us in many areas. Also thanks to: Kestrel , Normatec MVP, Pearl Izumi, Powerbar, FastSplits Multisport, Native Eyewear, Nuun, AllstarHealth.com, Saltstick.com, Dr.SearsZone, and Be Well Boston!

Caitlin Snow - 9:36:18, 9^th PRO Female

Alex Begg - 10:03:42, 5^th M50-54

Jocelyn Cornman - 10:17:59, 5^th F30-34

Fred Silverblatt - 15:50:42, 5^th M75-79

Those in the top - 10 of their respective divisions:

Caitlin Snow - 9:36:18, 9^th PRO Female

Alex Begg - 10:03:42, 5^th M50-54

Jocelyn Cornman - 10:17:59, 5^th F30-34

Michelle LeBlanc - 10:19:14, 8^th F35-39

Amy Javens - 10:39:48, 8^th F40-44

Colleen Capper - 11:49:12, 9^th F50-54

Fred Silverblatt - 15:50:42, 5^th M75-79

QT2 Results - 2012 Ironman World Champsionships

Pedro Gomes - 8:56:10, 26^th PRO Male

Caitlin Snow - 9:36:18, 9^th PRO Female * 3:03:06 Marathon - 2nd fastest of allwomen

Jeremy Cornman - 9:45:45, 50^th M30-34

Matt Curbeau - 9:51:46, 35^th M25-29

Alex Begg - 10:03:42, M50-54 *Fastest Swim, Fastest Bike, 5^th Fastest Run

Jesse Marquardt - 10:05:12, 88^th M35-39

Ted MacMahon - 10:09:18, 22^nd M45-49

Justin Arnosky - 10:12:11, 22^nd M18-24

John Jenkins - 10:13:37, 110^th M35-39

Julian Underwood - 10:15:29, 112^th M35-39

Jocelyn Cornman - 10:17:59, 5^th F30-34 *Fastest Run

Michelle LeBlanc - 10:19:14, 8^th F35-39 *5^th Fastest Bike

Andy Salmon - 10:25:22, 113^th M30-34

Greg Probst - 10:37:15, 76^th M45-49

John Wilson - 10:39:16, 29^th M50-54

Amy Javens - 10:39:48, 8^th F40-44

Steve Patterson - 10:50:59, 37^th M50-54

Amanda Kourtz - 10:51:40, 16^th F25-29

Brad Strater - 10:53:31, 136^th M30-34

Colleen Capper - 11:49:12, 9^th F50-54

Pattie Dalconzo - 11:59:14, 12^th F50-54

Bruce Cook - 12:17:44, 16^th M60-64

Della Jennings - 12:21:24, 23^rd F50-54

Kathy Laska - 13:00:42, 74^th F35-39

Brad Loescher - 13:43:55, 188^th M45-49

Fred Silverblatt - 15:50:42, 5^th M75-79

David Wilson - 15:59:16, 29^th M65-69