2004 Ironman World Championship Photo Essay

Photos: Bakke-Svensson/WTC

Keikis (children) in the Tuesday parade through the town on Kailua-Kona.

The Ironman Expo: where the rich and famous congregate...

At the portrait shoot a few days before the race, Norman Stadler’s carbon fiber Kuota Kalibur with mostly Campagnolo 10-speed Carbon Record components was the lightest.

Mark “The Zen Master” Allen and Dave “The Man” Scott on stage, discussing their epic battles of the 1980s. Dave won in 1980, October 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987. Mark won in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995.

Easily a million bucks worth of bikes are left overnight Friday on The Pier for the Saturday race start.

For the first time in Ironman history, the pros start at 06:45, separated from the main field which started at 07:00.

Madame Pele's land is pretty bleak.

Peter Reid a few miles past "The Mounds" on his way back into town shows perfect streamlined form.

With the second fastest bike split, Denmark's Torbjørn Sindballe shows good form on his Kestrel Talon SL, near town.

Norman gets off the bike and climbs the first hill in the lead, over twenty minutes ahead of Torbjørn Sindballe.

With the second fastest swim and bike splits, Nina starts the run with a commanding lead and never looks back.

Nina Kraft, Cameron Brown of New Zealand and Clas Björling of Sweden ran together through most of the Natural Energy Labs section. They are just about to reach the arch before the right turn onto Queen K.

It’s a long day, but it’s catered.

A view of the finish line from the athlete’s perspective. After 42,175 meters of pavement, the last section is carpeted.

Mike Reilly interviews Norman after his victory.

The Kona sunsets are magical.

It seems Reiko Izumi (362) has just "out-toed" Shigetaka Izumi (319) despite his larger feet. But who cares, they are both celebrating Ironman finishers.