The Best Images from the 2018 Ironman World Championship

Approximately 2,500 athletes came from across the globe to Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i to compete in the iconic 2018 IRONMAN World Championship on 13th October 2018. On a picture-perfect day with light winds, these athletes tackled the 2.4-mile/3.2km ROKA swim course, followed by the 112-mile/180 km Ventum

The Best Images from the 2018 Ironman World Championship
A SEA OF BLUE: Age-group men waited in the Pacific Ocean as they prepared to tackle the 2.4 mile (3.86km) ROKA swim course at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

Approximately 2,500 athletes came from across the globe to Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i to compete in the iconic 2018 IRONMAN World Championship on 13th October 2018. On a picture-perfect day with light winds, these athletes tackled the 2.4-mile/3.2km ROKA swim course, followed by the 112-mile/180 km Ventum bike course and finished with the 26.2-mile/42km HOKA ONE ONE run course – to cross the iconic finish line and become an IRONMAN. It was a day for records and celebration for both professional athletes and age-groupers alike, where each and every one of these athletes proved that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

TRI THROUGH THE NIGHT: Physically challenged athlete Andaloussi Ahmed cycled down the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. He crossed the finish line on Ali’i drive in a time of 11:29:16. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
UNDERWATER WORLD: Age-group male athletes tread water ahead of the cannon start at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. Less than an hour after the athletes crossed the start line, age-grouper Jan Sibbersen – manager of eventual race winner Patrick Lange – set a new swim best of just 46:30, breaking a 20-year-record in the process. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
FLYING BY: Athletes experienced a beautiful day at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i as they take on the 140.6-mile/180km journey on the bike course. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
RUNNING ON THE RED CARPET: Athletes and spectators cheered on age-group athletes as they crossed the finish line up until the 17 hour cut off on October 13 at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
A WIN FOR THE SWISS: A fan cheers on IRONMAN World Champion Daniela Ryf with a wave of the Swiss flag as she made her way down the final stretch of Pilani Road. (Photo by Nils Nilsen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
SUNSET SKIES: The sun sets on age-group runners towards the end of an incredible day in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
FROM DAWN TILL DUSK: Age-group athletes continue to power through the 26.2-mile/42km run course before crossing the finish line on Saturday night at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
SPLASHING ABOUT: The male age group athletes propel themselves through the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
SEALED WITH A KISS: IRONMAN World Champion Patrick Lange exchanges a heartfelt kiss with his fiancé, Julia Hoffman after he got down on one knee and proposed at the finish line on Saturday following his record-breaking win. It was a iconic day for Lange. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
BRINGING IN THE BIKES: Before embarking on their IRONMAN journey, approximately 2,500 athletes dropped off their bikes at the Kailua Pier the day before the race. (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
LEAN ON ME: The voice of IROMAN Mike Reilly whips up the crowd and assists Valerie Lindeborg as she battles to complete the race before the 17-hour cut off. With the enthusiastic cheers of finish-line fans ringing in her ears, Lindeborg – competing in the the 55-59 age group – became the final finisher in the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship, as she crossed the line on her own with a time of 16:51:05 (Photo by Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
MAKING WAVES: Female athletes start their day early with a plunge into the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean kicking off their race day with a 2.4-mile/3.2km swim at the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)