ASICS ELITE TRIATHLETES PETE JACOBS AND ANDY POTTS TAKE TOP HONORS AT IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

-Pete Jacobs is the   2012 Ironman World Champion with a time of 08:18:37; Andy Potts places   seventh, being the first American to cross the finish line with a time of   8:31:45-

ASICS America congratulates athletes Pete Jacobs and Andy Potts on their incredible finishes at Ironman World Championships today in Kona, Hawaii. Under gorgeous sunny skies, the two men put everything on the line at what is considered the Superbowl of triathlons. Jacobs conquered the course, the weather and the competition to cross the finish line in first place with a time of 08:18:37. Potts represented the United States proudly as the first American to complete the race, seventh overall, with a time of 08:31:45.

“I’m in love,” said Pete Jacobs right after crossing the finish line. “I was so lucky to have this opportunity to do what I do and to have a good day out there with all my friends and family and sponsors out there.”

After battling back against injury earlier this year, Australian, Pete Jacobs was looking to make up the mere minutes that separated him from first place in Kona in 2011. With successful wins already at Ironman Australia and Ironman Philippines 70.3, and a focus on improving his bike and consistent training runs since late April, Jacobs felt more prepared to tackle this year’s 140.6-mile race. “More kilometers in my legs means hopefully I don’t see that pain that I had in the last 10 kilometers of last year,” said Jacobs at the pre-race press conference.

The added strength in his running paid off as Jacobs made up more than eight minutes on the run to pass the leader at mile 16. With a swim time of 00:51:28, a bike time of 04:35:15, and a marathon time of 02:48:05, he can now call himself an Ironman Champion.

“I came out of the water in an easy position,” said Jacobs. “On the way up to Hawi I was feeling great. I did what I needed to do on the bike and was stoked to get off the bike in second place.” Jacobs continued on to say, “I was here to win. I think I won because I had so much more support from my friends, my family, and my sponsors. ASICS has just been so fantastic. It meant so much to have all that love around me this year.”

Andy Potts arrived in Kona as America’s favorite to win a place on top of the podium. With first place finishes at Ironman Oceanside 70.3, St. Croix 70.3, Lake Placid 70.3, he was looking to use the momentum of this successful racing season to propel him to defend his 2011 title as the first American to cross the finish line as well as being the athlete with the fastest swim time. In true Potts style, he was the first yet again to come out of the water in a time of 00:50:32. After completing the 112 mile bike in 13th place with a time of 04:43:52, he pushed through the grueling 26.2 mile run in 02:53:18 to cross the finish line in seventh place.

“I’m very happy,” exclaimed Potts, a Colorado native, as he celebrated post-race in the pool with his family. “I had a very good push. I kept thinking, ‘keep moving up.’ The race was in front of me the whole run, and no one ever passed me.”

“It’s incredible to see the limits that these men can push their bodies,” says ASICS Athlete Manager Annie Adams. “Both Pete and Andy pushed themselves to the edge during the race and had great showings. Their hard work and dedication to the sport make us proud to have them as part of the ASICS family.”

ASICS is the official training apparel and footwear sponsor for both men. Jacobs raced in the GEL-Hyper Speed® while Potts wore the GEL-Racer®.

For interview opportunities with either athlete, contact Noelle Novoa at 949-521-2866 or noellen@asicsamerica.com

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