2018 IRONMAN™ World Championship Photo Essay

Photos © Tony Svensson/IRONMAN™

The Ironman World Championship has always taken place in Hawaiʻi, the first three years on O‘ahu and since 1981 on The Big Island.

The Ironman Village along Aliʻi Drive.

Salming was one brand displaying its products in the Village.

Roka was another.

Some 2,500 bikes easily worth more than $10 million justifies the strictest security.

The men’s age group mass swim start with the still active Hualālai volcano, the Mokuaikaua church and the Huliheʻe Palace.

Yes, it’s a mess.

Perennial top ten finisher Andy Potts nearing the end of the swim.

With a 48:14, professional Lucy Charles of London, England breaks the women’s swim course record. She would end up second overall.

Age grouper Jan Sibbersen of Frankfurt, Germany breaks the men’s swim course record with a 46:29.

Michael Collins, with race founders Judy and John Collins (aka mom & dad), prepares to get on the bike.

Australia’s Cameron Wurf obliterates the bike course record with a 4:09:06.

Having just passed Waikoloa on the way back into town, Lucy Charles is still in the lead on the bike.

Three minutes behind Lucy is Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf.

Former professional Ken Glah of Pennsylvania in his 35th Ironman in Kona.

Prior to first attempting this race in 2004, Sarah Reinertsen was told by a fellow (male) PC athlete, “A girl cannot do this.” He was right, but only for a year. With the mantra “Unfinished Business,” she came back in 2005 and finished, and then again in 2018.

It was a relatively cool day with very little wind. This image is from the new road into NELHA.

Former professional Juliana Nievergelt showing good form on the road into NELHA.

Maria Ekström of Sweden crossing the finish line.

American handcycle triathlete Daniel Garcia finishing with Malin Annebäck of Sweden right behind.

Missy Lestrange of Visalia, California posts a 12:28:43 (a record) and her 15th age group win in Kona.

What happens under the flag in Kona, stays under the flag in Kona.

Liz Mcternan of Louth, England at the finish.

At age 85, the incredible Hiromu Inada of Japan wins his age group and becomes the oldest finisher of this race.

The finish line three seconds after race closure. To the left is Daniela Ryf who obliterated the course record in 8:26:18 (57:27, 4:26:07, 2:57:05). To the right is Patrick Lange of Germany who also finished in a record time, 7:52:39 (50:37, 4:16:04, 2:41:31).

The top ten professional women at the Sunday Awards Ceremony.

The top ten professional men at the Awards.