Australian native Greg Bennett blew past American Benjamin Collins on the run leg and fought back a challenge from former Olympian Hunter Kemper to win the Hy-Vee 5150 men’s Elite Cup race Sunday.

“This is truly the greatest race in the world and the best competition in the world,” said Bennett, who races as an American. He bagged the $151,500 winner’s purse and another $5,150 in bonus premiums for each of the run laps he led.

“I’m inspired by the greenbacks,” admitted Bennett, whose wife Laura finished fifth in the women’s Elite Cup earlier in the day. “Laura and I love coming back to Des Moines; it’s such a special thing for the Bennett family."

He said the couple had recently talked about retirement but that “we had an opportunity to make something special happen today.”

Bennett surged past Collins, who had opened up a big lead with a strong performance on the bike leg and looked for a moment as if he might run away with the race. Collins led by as much as a full minute early in the 10-kilometer run, but he was battling a foot injury and began to tire on the uphill portion of the course. He eventually was forced to relinquish the lead to Bennett.

That’s when Kemper made his move. On the third of four laps, he shaved 20 seconds off Bennett’s lead, But Bennett’s speed proved insurmountable. He was clocked in 1 hour, 49 minutes and 37 seconds. Kemper was 30 seconds back. Stuart Hayes, ranked first this season in the 5150 series, grabbed third place.

“Greg Bennett is a true triathlete and a true champion,” Kemper said. “I thought I could catch him. It was close. I was trying. This race is tough.”