Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen runs 2:41 in debut marathon

Today, @gwenjorgensen added 10.2 more miles to her longest run ever. Congrats on your first 26.2. #ExtraMile #ASICS #nycmarathon pic.twitter.com/HIleByysSD

— ASICS America (@ASICSamerica) November 6, 2016

In her first ever marathon, Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen crossed the finish line of the TCS New York City Marathon in 2:41:01 on Sunday. For Jorgensen, this first marathon attempt was a simply a bucket-list endeavour and a way to cap off a year of triathlons. Known as the best runner on the International Triathlon Union circuit, Jorgensen wanted to test her skills in her favourite triathlon discipline in a new setting.

14th, 2:41.01 Wow, that was so hard. Did not know what to expect…still a bit shocked that I just ran a marathon. Thank you so much for all the cheers, the New York City marathon was such a cool experience. Happy to say my 2016 season is officially done. Bring it 2017

A photo posted by Gwen Jorgensen (@gwenjorgensen) on Nov 6, 2016 at 11:11am PST

Before the race, Jorgensen said in a teleconference interview with New York Road Runners (NYRR) that she had no expectations heading into this morning’s race.

“That’s the question I get asked the most. Every [triathlon] I go into I have expectations, and I know from my training what I can accomplish. For the marathon, I have no idea. I have way too much respect for the marathon and the course, so I’m not setting any goals or expectations. I have no idea what will happen on race day. I did a 10-mile race a few weeks ago. Every step over 10 miles will be a new experience. For me that is the excitement. I’m smiling thinking about it right now.”

RELATED: Lanni Marchant finishes 7th, fastest-ever time by a Canadian woman at NYC Marathon.

Jorgensen’s longest run before her marathon was 25K, and her prep included lots of biking and swimming as she had some major triathlons in the past few months still on the calendar for 2016 when she committed to the marathon. Besides September’s ITU Grand Final in Cozumel where she placed second, Jorgensen won the Island House Invitational triathlon last weekend for the second year in a row.

Disappointed but not sure why and not sure what I would have been happy with. I am happy I ran it thou. Super tough but fun ????‍♀️ https://t.co/AvL1NReDbB

— Gwen Jorgensen (@gwenjorgensen) November 6, 2016

Jorgensen averaged 6:09 minutes per mile, or 3:49 per kilometre for the 42.2K distance. For the first part of the race, she hung with a lead pack of women including Canada’s top female marathon runner, Lanni Marchant and overall women’s race winner Mary Keitany. Up until 12 miles into the course, Jorgensen was running well under 6 minutes per mile.

Jorgensen received lots of support on social media from fellow triathletes and notable runners in the community. She said prior to the race that she had received advice from top American marathoners Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan.

This story is courtesy Triathlon Magazine Canada.