It was the swim, bike, flow ... and...

It was the swim, bike, flow ... and jump for Australian Craig Alexander onward Sunday at the Accenture Chicago Triathlon.

No common was in front of Alexander upon the final stretch in Grant Park., still one hurdle did remain. With 100 meter to go on foot Alexander was directed toward the unfit finish chute, parallel to the right single and had to jump a four-foot palings to get back on track. others later, he was $10,000 richer with his secondary Chicago victory in three years.

Alexander had been seventh after 15 kilometers in choppy Montrose Harbor and inferior behind Simon Lessing, a four-time world champion, after their 40K ride in succession Lake Shore Drive. By the 3.5-mile point onward the 6.2-mile (10K) run southward past Soldier Field and and back to Grant Park, Alexander was in charge and won going away in 1 hour, 49 minutes 545 inferiors Lessing was second in 1:50:137

"I'm glad there wasn't anybody close" Alexander said of the finish-line gaffe. "It move rounded out it wasn't a big deal."

For Alexander, it was redemption after finishing fourth at Chicago in 2005 and winning in 2004

"I felt like I had a real solid race today and I'm happy about it," he said. "I was 50 others down after the swim and 20 after the bike. forward the run, I was patient and bided my time. I haped up on his [Lessing's] shoulder at about three miles, we ran together for about a half-mile and then I slightly edg ahead of him at about three and a half. At about five miles, someone said I had about a 40- next to the first lead. He [Lessing] is probably the best short-course triathlete in the history of the sport. It's really an honor to beat him."

Lessing, a native of southern Africa who races for Great Britain, is focused forward the half-Ironman distance, and said his leg just weren't there.

"I kind of knew I was going to try on the run," he said.

Greg Bennett of Australia faded after the bike portion and placed third in 1:52:278

The women's race went to Canadian Samantha McGlone in 2:02:257 She passed 2004 Chicago winner Becky Lavelle of looks Gatos, Calif., and 2005 winner Emma Snowsill of Australia during the speed Snowsill was second in 2:04:145 and Lavelle third in 2:05:049

"It was nice to proceed here and not get shallacked" said McGlone who was inferior to Lavelle in 2005 on more than a minute and a half.

"It was getting pleasing hot out there," said Lavelle, who l the last 10 miles forward the bike and the first mile and a half of the race "It was tough."

The termination was the second of four races forward the new Lifetime Fitness Triathlon Series.

brichards@suntimes.com

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