2004 Ironman Canada

Bentley defends her title, while Evans goes wire-to-wire to record first win for a local athlete in race history.

Tom Evans led from start to finish today, holding off a dramatic charge by Gordo Byrn over the closing miles of the marathon to win Subaru Ironman Canada today. While Evans had to hold on to his lead during the marathon, Lisa Bentley proved yet again that she is one of the best runners the sport has ever seen as she moved from third to first during the first half of the marathon, and never looked back as she defended her title here in Penticton.

A record field started the race here today ... 2,170 athletes were on the beach at Okanagan Lake to start the swim. That broke the record for a one-wave swim start set here two years ago, when 2,032 athletes started the race.

It didn't take long for Bentley to assert her control, though. Starting the marathon 10-minutes behind Bakker, the defending champion was in front by the turn-around in Okanagan Falls, and never looked back.

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