Ironman World Championship hosted in St. George for the first time
May 8, 2022, 12:46 PM | Updated: 2:35 pm
The finish line at the Iron Man World Championship in St. George (Photo Cred: Bonnie Stray, KSL TV)
(Photo Cred: Bonnie Stray, KSL TV)
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Ironman World Championship has been held annually in Hawaii, since 1978. However, organizers are breaking the tradition, moving the championship to St. George, Utah.
2.4 mile swim
Over 2800 athletes competed in the championship. The track consisted of a two-and-a-half-mile swim, 112-mile bike race, and a 26.2-mile run. The race began at about 6:30 a.m. on Saturday.
We are racing!!
🏊♀️🏊♂️#imwc #ironmantri pic.twitter.com/r01G0YFv9B
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
The athletes, knowing that they had almost 140 miles of race ahead of them, weren’t fazed at the race’s beginning. They were all ready to swim.
Chomping at the bit #imwc #ironmantri pic.twitter.com/xJztzVzlMp
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
Racers were separated by age group and gender. KSL TV’s Bonnie Stray was on-site for the swimming section of the race.
Men 40-44 just hit the water @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/EeMgn4lmrD
— Bonnie Loftus Stray (@slcnewsproducer) May 7, 2022
Some professional athletes were racing in St. George. Including some Olympic athletes. There was a familiar face leading the women’s group in the swimming section of the course.
As the men close in to the finish, in the women’s race, @haleychura is predictably at the front. The former Olympic Trials and collegiate swimmer has been first out of the water (with @lb_brandon) at Kona
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
112-mile bike race
After over 2 miles of swimming, athletes were greeted by the longest section of the course. A 112-mile bike race.
Time to 🔒 in for the bike
Watch live on https://t.co/ZIxJUA6k0B pic.twitter.com/K7tX8Z3IcB
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
Daniela Ryf, a Swiss triathlete, took a large lead in the bike race.
Daniela Ryf 📈
At mile 65 she has built almost a minute lead in the women’s pack #imwc #ironmantri pic.twitter.com/ZvtldlJJdK
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
Many Utahns showed up to cheer on athletes at all points of the course.
Men’s race leaders 💪🥇
This might finish close 😬 pic.twitter.com/HYP9FC9WCM
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
Many racers had their own small support groups.
These spectators know who they’re cheering for 😂😍 pic.twitter.com/6sfop8cLUL
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
Kristian Blummenfelt, an Olympic athlete, showed off his new prototype bicycle.
As Wurf starts to attack @kristianblu is with him on his new prototype bike.https://t.co/Cd2zy1Pq6v
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
26-mile run to the finish
Five people hit the running section of the course at the same time. Some might see this as the final stretch, but racers still had an entire marathon ahead of them.
It’s T1 time for the lead group of five! The group of Smith, Laidlow, Angert, Currie, and Baekkegard is off on the run. #IMWC
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
Blummenfelt reached the running section almost 5 minutes after the first group. His Olympic running history helped him quickly gain ground.
Wurf, Sanders, and Blummenfelt now heading out onto the run, all around 4:20 behind the lead group. Of that group, Olympic champion Blummenfelt has only one IM finish to his name, but obviously a load of run ability. #IMWC
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
Blummenfelt found his stride and pushed towards not only the finish line, but also those ahead of him.
Blummenfelt out onto the very windy run in the chase group. Looking good #IMWC pic.twitter.com/XImhpqspuW
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
There were also experienced women who were looking to close the gap during the running portion of the course.
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
There was a lot of movement in placements during the running section. Some gained ground, others lost.
In the men’s race, we’re seeing Cam Wurf moving backwards in the field, losing almost two minutes in over a mile and fading back into 10th place while Currie still has a 2:20 lead over second place. #IMWC
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
Blummenfelt continued to close the gap.
Meanwhile Blummenfelt is very slowly gaining time on Currie, but he’s still 3:55 behind at 9mi. #IMWC
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
Of course all racers wanted to win, but some consolation came with a podium spot.
Sanders also continues to move up, slowly but surely. He’s now in sixth place at mile 14, 5:12 back from Currie, but dangerously close to Smith, Angert, Laidlow and a podium spot. #IMWC
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
A successful Iron Man World Championship in St. George
Blummenfelt’s effort paid off. He ended up taking the lead and keeping it to finish strong.
❗️ Under 5 miles left ❗️
KB is moooooving, can he hang on?
Tune in now: https://t.co/OH1Ryu5IWM pic.twitter.com/UQBHMjugBV
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
Daniela Ryf, who built much of her lead during the bike race, joined Blummenfelt as a champion.
WORLD CHAMPIONS!!! 🥇🥇@kristianblu – 7:49:16@danielaryf – 8:34:59 pic.twitter.com/k54Ql594DX
— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) May 7, 2022
Finishing the course, regardless of placement, is a huge accomplishment. Finishing top 10 does come with some additional recognition, however.
#IMWC Men’s Pro Top 10:
1: @kristianblu
2: Lionel Sanders
3: @BradenCurrie
4: @c_leiferman
5: @florian_angert
6: Leon Chevalier
7: @baekkegard
8: @LAIDLOWSam
9: @DavidMcNameetri
10: @bhoffmanracing— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
#IMWC Women’s Pro Top 10:
1: @danielaryf
2: @Katr_Matthews
3: Anne Haug
4: @skyemoench
5: @Rastle50
6: @lisanorden
7: @lmsiddall
8: @Fenella_Alicia
9: @gurutzefrades
10: Maja Stage-Nielsen— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
The two champions ended up setting course records.
Both Blummenfelt and Ryf set new course records in St. George. Blummenfelt’s 7:49:16 bested the previous 8:32 by Mathias Hecht in 2011, and Ryf’s 8:34:59 shattered Heather Wurtele’s 9:30, also set in 2011. #IMWC
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) May 7, 2022
Utah proved to be a great home for the Iron Man World Championship, and Utahn’s hope to see the competition return to the state.
