CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Elizabeth Lyles from Nevada just won the title of Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga professional race! She finished 23 minutes ahead of the second-placed competitor, Kim Schwabenbauer.
Lyles, the mother of two, raced to the victory and finished the race in only 09:05:33! Her biggest motivator was her own mother who was constantly cheering for her in the crowd. “Having her on the red carpet and having her give me a hug at the finish was definitely a memory,” – Lyles said.
Congratulations to @lizlylestri, your 2017 @LittleDebbie IRONMAN Chattanooga presented by McKee A Family Bakery Champion! #IMChoo pic.twitter.com/XIrxK4dCL6
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) September 24, 2017
When asked about the mother-daughter moment, Lyles’s mom, Demgen, said: “It was fabulous. I’ve seen her win before, but to see her finish from back here (at the finish line) and to see the smile on her face was fabulous.”
The five-time Ironman champion, was the most decorated professional triathlete on the field and she was among the most favorites to win the title.
Lyles was the first triathlete able to finish the 144.6-mile race in only 9 hours, 5 minutes and 33 seconds. She also was the first professional triathlete that decided to compete on the filed even though there are only three weeks left until the father of all Ironman races takes place; Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
“I’ve been training pretty hard for this race,”- she said. “I really just wanted to win an Ironman. Now I can go to Kona, and maybe have another great day.”
Lyles was one of the few professional athletes who chose to compete in the field just three weeks ahead of the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
“You never know what’s going to happen. I can’t put myself in a bubble for Kona,” Lyles said. “I didn’t want to put all my eggs in the Kona basket.”
Your 2017 #IMChoo Podium!
? Liz Lyles (9:05.33)
? Kim Schwabenbauer +23:13
? Jessica Donavan +26:15 pic.twitter.com/Okz7A5JnbG— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) September 24, 2017
Final classification after the 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike and 41.1-km run
1 Liz Lyles USA
2 Kim Schwabenbauer USA
3 Jessica Donavan USA
4 Kelly Williamson USA
5 Kelly Fillnow USA
