The defending king and queen of the Chicago triathlon, Craig Walton and Barb Lindquist, reigned supreme for the second year in a row on Sunday at the recently renamed Accenture Chicago Triathlon. The champions each earned $6,000 of the total purse of $50,000.

Fending off strong competition to defend their titles, Walton finished the Olympic length race in 1:47:07 and Lindquist finished in 2:01:01. Simon Lessing and Craig Alexander weren't far behind Walton, taking second and third for the men in 1:48:57 and 1:51:36 respectively. Nicole DeBoom and Becky Lavelle filled out the top three for the women, going 2:02:43 and 2:03:00.

In its 21st year, the race, known the previous nine years as Mrs. T's, had 19 pro competitors and more than 7,000 participants total, making it the largest triathlon in the world. The course's 1.5K swim in Lake Michigan's Monroe Harbor was followed by a 40K bike ride on Lake Shore Drive, and a 10K run through Chicago's Museum Campus and Grant Park. Spectators dangled their legs off the wall of the harbor to watch the pros start the swim while Madonna blared from speakers on the shore and a news helicopter hovered overhead.

During the swim, Walton built a substantial lead, but said he was hurting after the bike. Confident that a solid run would earn him the victory, he pushed himself for the entire last leg. The Australian, who is based in San Diego, CA, has not been able to do his normal run training this summer because of an infected foot. He cut his foot and bruised a bone while doing a flip turn in a pool during swim training.

"I've had an unlucky season," the 27-year-old said. "My last win was the San Diego Triathlon in July, so it's a bit of a monkey off my back."

Simon Lessing, the men's runner-up, had not raced the Chicago Triathlon in nine years. The globe-trotting Lessing is originally from South Africa, but races for Great Britain and lives in Boulder, CO. He said the race does not suit him as an athlete but he enjoys the atmosphere.

The race was brutal for 33-year-old Lindquist, who has enjoyed tremendous success this year with 10 first-place finishes, including a $250,000 payoff at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in July.

"I was hurting down there today. I had to really dig deep," said Lindquist, of Victor, ID. "I felt like I was lactic from minute number two in the swim."

Lactic or not, Lindquist was already the leader at the end of the swim, followed closely by Joanna Zeiger of Baltimore, MD. Lindquist was not the only one struggling with the course and the mid-day heat; Zeiger made it partway into the run but did not complete the race.

Without a cloud in the sky, the shoreline was in its prime for the competition, but the heat was relentless.

"You had to stay focused today," women's runner-up DeBoom said. "Becky (Lavelle) was reeling me in on the run, but I stayed strong. I just kept saying I've earned this position." DeBoom has competed in the Hawaii Ironman three times, but is racing shorter distances this year, in part because it allows her to race more often.

Both Walton and Lindquist enjoyed the support of the crowd along the course.

"The fans are great," Walton said. "Even going past the highway, fans are hanging out of their cars."

Fans and many of the amateur racers who raced earlier lined the course to catch a glimpse of the pros and offer cheers of support. DeBoom, who is a graduate of Downers Grove South High School, where some of her swim records still stand, heard lots of people screaming her name.

"It feels like coming home even though I don't live here anymore," said DeBoom, who now lives in Lyons, CO, with husband-triathlete, Tim DeBoom.

For many race supporters and racers, the day was less about competition and more about support, whether for a pro, a friend, or a complete stranger. Robbie Paymer of Chicago was withering in the heat and wondering if he could finish the race when he saw some kids riding alongside their mom on their bikes, cheering her on to the finish.

"I just thought 'OK, if mom is going to do this then I am going to do this,' " Paymer said. "Negative thoughts start to creep into your mind. People cheering takes your mind off the task at hand."

A Northwestern University alum, Paymer tried twice before to enter the race but always had conflicts. "I always used to read about it before I came to Chicago," Paymer said. "It just sounded so cool because you can race with pros." Paymer was weary and soar, but ultimately satisfied after the race.

Kara Hughes said the Chicago Triathlon is one of her favorites. "I live here in Chicago and there are always people you know in the race and cheering at the race," Hughes said. "I've done it at least 10 times and I try to do it every year."

Hughes was all smiles after a strong finish, which helped her take first in the women's 40-44 age group with a 2:17:08.

The competitors were in good spirits after the race despite tough conditions. Exhausted participants sprawled out on the grass to rest. The 21st Chicago Triathlon was a challenge for everyone, including the pros, and a little indulgence after a hard race was in order. Nicole DeBoom was ready with a game plan.

"I definitely will be getting a burger and fries," she said. " You've got to treat yourself after these and I'm food-oriented. Then, it's back to the grind!"

For complete results, click here.