Lucy Charles and David McNamee finished second and third respectively in Kona, repeating their IRONMAN World Championship podium finishing positions from last year.

Good conditions contributed to fast times, including course records from winners Patrick Lange (GER) and Daniela Ryf (SUI). 

The conditions and the depth of the women’s field saw all of the women’s top ten dip under nine hours. Lucy Charles set a new swim course record and was over twenty minutes faster than last year, but still Ryf passed her on the bike and went on to win. At age 25, Charles is significantly younger than most of the field. 

Corinne Abraham secured a top ten finish, improving on 16^th last year for her best Kona result to date.

David McNamee started the run in 19^th place, but the time gap to the leaders wasn’t significant and his ability to pace himself over long course triathlon is exceptional. He ran through to third place with a 2:46:03 marathon. Joe Skipper also finished well inside the top ten, arguably his best result for some time.

Tim Don completed the circle since being knocked off his bike and breaking his neck two days before the race last year to finishing this year’s race in 8:45:17. 

British Age-Group athletes enjoyed significant success including 25-29 gold for Ruth Purbrook in 9:33:47. Liz Mcternan, a former GB Paratriathlete, won her category, competing the course using a handbike and racing wheelchair. Robert Drake was the fastest GB male Age Grouper in 8:44:04 (30-34 7th) and Paul Lunn secured another podium finish in the 45-49 age group in 9:08:26.

As well as the Hawaiian IRONMAN celebrating its 40^thanniversary, it also celebrated its oldest ever finisher; Hiromu Inada from Japan in 16:53:49 in the 85-89 Age Group.

IRONMAN World Championships professional athlete results:

Men:
1. Patrick Lange, GER, 7:52:39
2. Bart Aernouts, BEL, 7:56:41
3. David McNamee, GBR, 8:01:09
7. Joe Skipper, GBR, 8:05:54
36. Tim Don, GBR, 8:45:17
42. Will Clarke, GBR, 8:53:03

Women:
1. Daniela Ryf, SUI, 8:26:16
2. Lucy Charles, GBR, 8:36:32
3. Anne Haug, GER, 8:41:57
9. Corinne Abraham, GBR, 8:78:54
17. Laura Siddall, GBR, 9:12:08
26. Susie Cheetham, GBR, 9:27:56
DNF Emma Pallant, GBR 

Photo credits: IRONMAN

Social Reaction

 

 

 

 

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AG WORLD CHAMPION BABY!!!!!!! 3rd age grouper overall, but beyond ecstatic to be champion in 25-29 category. The hard work of the last year has certainly paid off! Swim: 1.03.21 Bike: 4.52.44 Run: 3.32.25 Overall: 9.33.47 Had a pretty good day throughout - bike felt pretty good until bit of cramp at 160k but managed to power through. Run was fairly hot but managed to run quite consistently. Was close to getting run down by 2nd at one point but managed to hold on!! Huge thank you @bfcpurbrook @jamesellis13 and @sian_morgan23 for the splits and cheers. Huge thank you to @willclarketri for getting me in the best shape of my life and giving me the confidence I could do this. Gutted you didn’t have the race you deserved ?? Big thanks as well to Brad who ran the last 5k with me and kept me running reasonably well! Huge thank you to @teamfreespeed @orca_triathlon @clifbar @precisionhydration @skechersperformance_uk @rideparcours for all the support this year. #kona2018 #worldchampion #hawaii #islandofdreams #womenwhotri #triathlon

A post shared by Ruth Purbrook (@rastle50) on Oct 14, 2018 at 1:18am PDT

 

 

 

 

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A picture that says a thousand words, so so Happy to finish the 2018 @ironmantri Kona World Championships today ???????? #trainhardraceeasy #nevergiveup @iamspecialized_tri @enduraofficial @gozwifttriathlon @on_running ?? @jamesmitchell5 ??

A post shared by Tim (@tri_thedon) on Oct 13, 2018 at 9:30pm PDT

 

 

 

 

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7th place in the world, what a day! My god I don’t think I’ve ever been so hot. Very pleased to finally put together a solid race out on the big island. Congratulations to very one that finished out here, alsowell done to @mattrusselltri who towed me along for quite some time on the bike and run and then had a sprint finish for 5th.

A post shared by Joe Skipper (@notanotheraveragejoe) on Oct 13, 2018 at 9:33pm PDT

No rest for the weary ??
So the clean-up operation begins!
Flippin LOVE racing this bike. pic.twitter.com/6YZPtNQ3vw

— Corinne Abraham (@CorinneAbraham) October 14, 2018