2005 Ironman World Championship Photo Essay

Photos: Bakke-Svensson/WTC

Ironman winners in Kona, Mark Allen (six times) and Scott Molina (once) at the Expo, not trusting that the Official Ironman Photographer would do an adequate job.

This, the mass swim start for the age groupers at 07:00, was preceded by the professionals’ start at 06:45.

A classic image of the mess you’re in during the first five to ten minutes of the swim.

German triathlete Faris Al-Sultan during the early part of the bike course, c:a 08:30.

The three-time winner in Kona, Peter Reid of Canada out of the saddle passed Kawaihae on his way to the turnaround in Hawi. He would eventually finish third.

Ironman rookie and Olympic silver medal winner Michellie Jones of Australia looking good on the lava fields early on in the bike. She would eventually finish second, a huge race for her!

Swiss charmer Natascha Badmann on the lava fields doing what she does best, catching people on the bike, save, perhaps, catching people on the run.

A panoramic view south on the bike course a few kilometers south of Kawaihae. Since the first race in Kona in 1981, the once mostly black and brown lava fields have accumulated progressively more vegetation.

The finish line is for many the culmination of years of training and a dream come true. For others, it’s the bittersweet ending of years filled with purpose: “What am I supposed to do now?”

Faris Al-Sultan of Munich, Germany with an impressive win. His splits were, swim: 49:54, bike: 4:25:24 and run: 2:54:51.

Natascha Badmann of Oftringen, Switzerland crosses the finish line in first place. Her splits were, swim:1:02:30, bike: 4:52:00 and run: 3:06:25. This was her sixth victory in Kona.

An age grouper near the top of Queen Kaahumanu highway near where the course turns right onto Palani Road and the long downhill a few kilometers before the finish.