Aussie Alexander wins Ironman title

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii - Australian Craig Alexander won the Ironman World Championship Saturday, improving on his runner-up finish in the 2007 edition of the grueling event.

Alexander triumphed in eight hours, 17 minutes, 45 seconds for the 2.4 mile (3.8km) ocean swim, 112 mile (180km) cycle road race and 26.2 mile (42.2km) run.

"I can't believe it. It was a hard race," said Alexander, who was in 11th place at the end of the cycle race and took the lead at the 18-mile mark of the closing marathon run. Spain's Eneko Llanos Burguera was second in 8:20.50. Alexander became the third Australian man to win the prestigious title.