Click here to view photos from the triathlon.

Craig Alexander of Australia returned to the podium of the Accenture Chicago Triathlon on Aug. 27 for the second time in three years. Alexander, who won the 2004 Accenture Triathlon, finished first on Sunday in 1:49.54.

Alexander's win was 20 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Simon Lessing despite a mix-up that sent Alexander down the wrong chute. On his way toward the tape, Alexander walked for a few seconds to touch hands with spectators (while looking over his shoulder to ensure his lead, of course).

Going into the bike portion, Alexander was in seventh place. After cycling up and down Lakeshore Drive from Randolph to Foster Ave., Lessing had the lead while Alexander was following closely behind. Alexander pulled ahead near the 3.5-mile mark of the 10K run and held the lead until the end thanks to a 5:14 minute per mile pace.

After Lessing crossed the finish line, Alexander hugged him in congratulations. "Simon is probably the greatest short-course athlete in the history of the sport," Alexander said. "To beat him is an absolute honor." Lessing finished in 1:50:13. Craig Bennett placed third in 1:52.27.

Samantha McGlone of Canada finished first in the womens competition and narrowly beat out two recent Accenture Chicago Triathlon victors. Her 2006 Accenture Chicago Triathlon victory adds to a whirlwind year that has included first-place finishes at the Jamba Juice Wildflower Triathlon and Desert Classic Duathlon Arizona. McGlone was glowing as she crossed the finish line during what could be considered the greatest victory of her career so far.

McGlone placed second at the New York City Traithlon to Emma Snowsill, but on Sunday the roles were reversed--Snowsill placed second in 2:04.14. McGlone excelled in the run portion, where she was the only woman with a pace faster than 6 minutes per mile, and finished in 2:02.25.

Snowsill, who won the 2004 Accenture Triathlon, finished noticeably distressed--hunched over, dizzy and trying to catch her breath. A representative of Snowsill later told reporters that she had suffered from dehydration.

2005 Accenture Chicago Triathlon winner Becky Lavelle finished third in 2:05.4.

Around 8,000 people participated in the triathlon. More than 55 waves of athletes left Monroe Harbor beginning at 6 a.m. and continuing until the professional competition began at 11 a.m. The event is in contention for the title of largest triathlon in the world.

Chicago's Steve Johnson was the first local male to finish on Sunday with a time of 2:01.19. He was the second elite athlete to cross the finish line. Mark Wachendorf of McHenry, Ill., was the third place elite finisher in 2:02:54.

Emily Cocks was the first Chicago woman to finish. She placed third in the elite competition with a time of 2:20.32.

500,000 spectators came to the event, according to race organizers, and the transition areas were packed with friends, family members and triathlon fans holding signs and lounging on picnic blankets.

The weekend's events also included the McDonald's Kids Triathlon and Fleet Feet SuperSprint Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 26. Sunday's competition included a sprint and international distance. All professional athletes competed in the international distance competition.

Click here to view complete race results.