Gallery photos above by Michael Rauschendorfer

In a field that saw 2,328 athletes takes the start in Zurich, Switzerland's Ronnie Schildknecht and Karin Thurig claimed dominant victories Sunday at Ironman Switzerand.

Schildknecht took his victory in 8:12:40, just missing the course record by 13 seconds. That aside, he simply owned the day from the gun; after exiting the water with fellow Swiss Mike Agrioz and Spaniard Mikel Elquezabal, the three rode with an eye on one another over the hilly Zurich bike course. But once on the run, Schildknecht tapped out a solid rhythm along the lakefront to assume an unassailable lead and eventual win.

Ronnie Schildknecht claimed his fourth Ironman Switzerland title Sunday. Photo by Michael Rauschendorfer.

Germany's Swen Sundberg found his run legs in the late miles of the run to take second in 8:29:18, as Agrioz held fast to the final podium spot five minutes later.  

After a five years absence from the race in Zurich, multi-time Swiss national time trial champ Karin Thürig returned and despite her cycling palmares, quite literally ran away with the win in 9:00:04.

Her 4:43 bike split was fastest among the women, as well as seventh-fastest overall, including the pro men. Yet it was her 3:04 marathon—also the day's fastest among the female pros—that helped her top her 2005 course record by over 10 minutes.  

Dutch pro Heleen Bij de Vaate ran her way to second in 9:23:50 after coming off the bike in sixth place. Third went to Switzerland's Monika Lehmann in 9:28:25.

Ironman Switzerland July 25, 2010, Zurich

Pro Men's Results

1. Ronnie Schildknecht (SWI) 8:12:40

2. Swen Sundberg (GER) 8:29:18

3. Mike Aigroz (SWI) 8:34:24

4. Stefan Riesen (SWI) 8:37:10

5. Gerrit Schellens (BEL) 8:38:26

6. Mikel Elguezabal (ESP) 8:42:04

7. Mike Schifferle (SWI) 8:43:51

8. Pieter Helin (BEL) 8:47:16

9. Rafael Wyss (SWI) 8:47:16

10. Balazs Csoke (HUN) 8:57:19

Pro Women's Results

1. Karin Thürig (SWI) 9:00:04

2. Heleen Bij De Vaate (NED) 9:23:50

3. Monika Lehmann (SWI) 9:28:25

4. Simone Benz (SWI) 9:29:44

5. Sarah Schütz (SWI) 9:36:45

6. Ana Casares Polo (ESP) 10:05:16

7. Michaela Giger (SWI) 10:07:07

8. Ariane Monticeli (BRA) 10:10:58

9. Beatrix Blattmann (GER) 10:31:51

10. Marlies Penker (AUT) 10:36:03