2017 IRONMAN™ World Championship Photo Essay

A view from the finish line along the seashore wall. From left to right: the parade of winners, the Mokuaikaua Church, the Hulihe’e Palace, Kona Inn Shopping Village, Hale Halawai Park (site of The IRONMAN™ Expo) and the Royal Kona Resort.

Tuesday night, the parade offered some light rain, here with Argentina and Australia. Last is the host nation USA.

Thursday is the UPR, the UnderPants Run, first conceived of in 1998. This event has grown every year and all proceeds go to charity.

Swim referee Mike McMichael with the top women, including #101 Daniela Ryf in the foreground to the left. This shot is only minutes before the pro women wave start. There were four waves, one each for the men and women pros, and men and women age groups.

The men’s age group mass start.

First out of the water in 47:09 is #21 Josh Amberger from Australia. He finished in 30th place.

Sweden’s Patrik Nilsson was among the first out on the bike course and would end up eighth overall in his first race in Kona.

Patrick Lange of Germany would capture the IRONMAN™ crown with a new course record of 8:01:40 (48:45,4:28:53, 2:39:59).

Daniela Ryf of Switzerland was just under five minutes behind the leaders out of the water. No problem: She won her third consecutive title in Kona with a time of 8:50:47 (53:10, 4:53:10, 3:00:02), just short of her course record set last year.

This is what you trained for.

Daniela Ryf on her way back having just passed Kawaihae.

New Zealand’s Katrina Whaanga, F45-49, one of 18 VIPs on Svensson’s shotlist.

Patrick Lange crosses the finish line flanked by Dave Scott (left) and Mark Allen (right).

This race started as a “Navy Affair” when Commander John Collins and cohorts proclaimed that to swim, bike and run around Oahu is to be an Ironman (and lets you brag the rest of your life). A large contingent of active service military keep that proud tradition going. Here, Annapolis graduate Joseph Bradfield, MD (M60-64), crosses the finish line.

After race closure, part of the IRONMAN™ organization at the finish. The blonde woman in neon green is none other than Valerie Silk.