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Jules Vasquez reporting
Australian and first time competitor Dimity Gannon was the first out of the water on Sunday. From there it was into the city's concrete streets – here, Giovanni Froggy Leslie is competing in the team event and blasting off at close to 30 miles an hour.

Out on the road, defending and three time male champion Smokes Gladden was holding his own, while the defending and five time female champion Shalini Zabaneh was in an unusual position working form behind to make up space on Dimity Gannon.

But, by the time she completed that lap, Shalini was back in the lead and Smokes Gladden was right where he wanted to be, but if he seemed to be coasting, it's because he needed to change his back tyre.

While the runners in the relay event got ready for their final transition, Rondre Lewis was the third to leave, but shot out like he was on a sprint.

Meanwhile Kent Gabourel, last year's sixth place finisher only his second time in the event was the first individual competitor out on the pace. Smokes Gladden was well behind him and tried to make his transition as soon as possible.

Soon, Gladden was out on the run with perennial contender Doctor Ramon Figueroa in second and third at that time While Rondre Lewis kept a fast pace up to keep the lead in the team relay for Team Sagitun

While Sagitun's individual competitors, last year's champions Roger Troyer and Shalini Zabaneh were just finishing their ride portion of the race. The five time champ was quick to make the transition and was off on the run. Now way ahead of her Australian rival – who, after beating everyone in the swim, lost major ground to Shalini on the ride and was now way behind her on the run

The male run was getting interesting as Gabourel was now back in front of Gladden, the two marking each other at a measured pace.

They had to do six laps; this was number four and both seemed comfortable with their pace

While Shalini Zabaneh looked visibly laboured, her steps dragging and not at all herself. While Smokes kept shadowing Gabourel, he seemed to know what he was doing. As they picked up the pace on the final and sixth last lap but Gabourel gathered distance on that last lap and finished first - while an exhausted Smokes Gladden lagging behind had to walk in and he just couldn't keep up as he congratulated a worthy winner. Gladden says he knew he had the upper hand in the run:

Kent Gabourel - First Place, Lionman - 2013
"Smokes is well experienced in this - he's the boss experienced champion. The thing is I had a problem in my tansition, everytime I go into transition I get cramp and it takes a while for my legs to kick in so that's what happened, Smokes caught up to me. I know I'm a better runner but I ran the 6 miles slower than him because I know he could never take me out on a sprint, it was just a smart race."

Jules Vasquez
"So it's your first time winning Iron Man - you beat a three time champion, how do you feel about that outcome?"

Kenroy 'Smokes' Gladden - Second Place, Lionman 2013
"It's my dream,the father gave it to who deserved it the most so I think he deserved it the most because he got it. I didn't have enough, I didn't swim enough, honestly from the 6th of May was the last time I swan in Corozal and I haven't swam from since then."

Dr. Ramon Figueroa, 3rd Overall, 1st Masters
"It's hard - I forgot how difficult a race like this is, after you've put in a mile of swimming and 24 miles of riding - it's a bit difficult to run 6 milesat your normal pace. I must say it's good for your ego but it just sends out the message that no matter how old you are, if you put in the time and you have discipline - you can perform well."

And Shalini came in sixth overall, the first woman her sixth Lionman crown, looking more tired than we've seen her, but still a champ.

She took a while to recover, leaving back on her father, and trying to catch her breath as the sun didn't give her a break.

Shalini Zabaneh - 1st. Women's Category (6th Victory)
"I thought I had a good swim because the other girl was four minutes ahead so I had to catch her on the bike, I wouldn't say I was panicked but I was trying to stay steady - not killing my legs for the run. Once I passed I was able to recover a bit and just crossed my fingers and I prayed all the way that I would stay at the front. I was thankful for the rain because last year the rain really cooled us down on the run so once the rain came, I thanked God, and I was able to crossed ahead of her. I have to say I am proud of myself for digging deep today."

Dimity Gannon - 2nd Women's Category
"To be honest, I was out here having a good time today and I really did that. There were lots of people cheering for me out there, even though I'm not a local and I really didn't know anyone - the crowd support was just fantastic."

And in the relay event Rondre Lewis who did the run, was the first across the line

Rondre Lewis - 1st. (running) Relay Category, Team Sagitun
"The race was intense, a lot of competition and I just had to fight for the win - it was really intense."

When we consulted all available records more closely, we found that it is Shalini Zabaneh's seventh Lionman title, not her sixth.