THROUGH THE LENS: TOP IMAGES FROM THE WOMEN’S 2023 VINFAST IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAI`I
KAILUA-KONA, Hawai`i (Oct. 15, 2023) – Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i provided the stage for a historic day in triathlon as it welcomed over 2,000 registered athletes to participate in the first-ever female-only race at the VinFast IRONMAN® World Championship triathlon.
Beginning in the crystal-clear waters of Kailua Bay, athletes that took part in the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon tackled the 2.4-mile (3.8km) ROKA swim course before heading out on the 112-mile (180.2km) FulGaz™ bike course, renowned for its historic long sustained climbs, strong crosswinds, and exposed terrain beauty with lava fields on one side and the ocean coastline on the other. The final leg of their race saw athletes take on the 26.2-mile (42.2km) HOKA run course, an out-and-back that took athletes past the spirited crowds on Ali`i Drive, up Palani Road to the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway which lead them to the long-awaited HOST Park at the National Energy Laboratory Hawai`i Authority (NELHA). Athletes completed their journey to the roar of thousands of spectators as they crossed the historic Ali`i Drive finish line.
EARLY TO RISE: Before the sun rises, athletes enter T1 to make their final preparations for race day. Over 2,000 bikes were docked on Kailua-Bay for the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images for IRONMAN) – (Photo Credit: Tony Svensson for IRONMAN) – (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
SURF’S UP: Athletes wait their turn in the clear blue waters of Kailua Bay before they launch into their 2.4 mile ROKA swim, making the start of their 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon adventure. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images for IRONMAN)
AERODYNAMIC ACTION: Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) remains in an aerodynamic position, leading from start to finish through the 112-mile (180km) FULGAZ bike course, recording the fastest bike split at 4:32:29. Charles-Barclay also posted the fastest swim split with a time of 49:36 all aiding her historic win at the the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon on October 14, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
HAWAIIAN SUNSETS: Athletes make their way back to Kona Town Center, as the sun sets on the historic women’s race of the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
THE MERMAID AND THE CHASE: Lucy Charles-Barclay quickly established a gap between the entire female professional field in the 2.4-mile ROKA Swim Course, as she made her intentions for the race known early on. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
FIFTH TIME LUCKY: Lucy Charles-Barclay finally gets her day as she led the race from cannon to tape, and secured a course best IRONMAN World Championship time of 8:24:31. Lucy is met by husband, Reece at the finish line for an emotional embrace.
FLYING HIGH: An athlete cycles past a Hawaiian flag on the side of the road as she competes in the 112-mile FulGaz bike leg of the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
HITTING THE OPEN ROAD: A group of athletes roll along the iconic Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway, characterised by its rugged Hawaiian terrain and wide-open roads at the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon on October 14, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.(Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
A SEA OF ATHLETES: Over 2,000 female athletes kick off the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship at the 1.2-mile ROKA swim course on October 14, 2023. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN) – (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
ALI’I DRIVE AT DUSK:An athlete makes her way down the magic red carpet on Ali’i drive, as the sun sets on a historic day of racing. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
STORIES OF INCLUSION: Those taking part in the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon come from all walks of life, each with their own story to tell. 18-year-old Adrienne Bunn (USA) become not only the youngest competitor in the field, she is also now the youngest known female athlete with autism to complete the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship. Marlynne Stutzman (USA) and Lisa Cloutier (USA) showed that Anything Is Possible by joining Bunn as the first three known female athletes with autism to complete the IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo Credit: FinisherPix)
LETTING NOTHING STOP HER: Annie Brooks was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 28 years old after experiencing periods of ‘intense brain fog and memory loss’, which she later found out to be epileptic fits. Annie kept her diagnosis secret at first, but now she is passionate about raising awareness about this ‘invisible disability’ and hopes her participation in the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship will her do that. She showcased how to overcome completing the event in 16:03:48 despite two flat tires and a broken brake (Photo Credit: Tony Svensson)
SHIFTING GEARS: Taylor Knibb (USA) is greeted by cheering spectators as she leaves transition in second place and begins the 26.2-mile HOKA run course at the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon on October 14, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i. (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
MAKING HER OWN WAVES: An age group athlete begins her 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship journey with the 2.4-mile ROKA swim course. (Photo Credit: Sean Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
FIRST OUT: Lucy Charles Barclay (GBR), who led from the start of the swim turns in the fastest split of the day on the ROKA swim course with a time of 49:36. (Photo Credit: Sean Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
SPREADING AWARENESS: Sara Whittingham (USA) is a retired Lt. Col. in the Air Force who served in Afghanistan and Korea. At the age of 47 Whittingham was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Learning that cardiovascular exercise is one of the best ways to slow the progression of this terrible disease, Whittingham focused her energy into her passion and enjoyment of triathlons. This week, she showed what is possible with a commitment to a consistent exercise regimen.
“I have been racing since I was six years old. The IRONMAN World Championship triathlon will likely be the most meaningful finish line I will ever cross. Three years ago, when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I didn’t see any more running in my future. A clinical research study got me back on the bike and the support and encouragement from family and friends led me to set some big goals. I have always been one to dream big, and the finish line at Kona for me is as big as it gets. The thought of making a right turn onto Ali’i Drive to the Kona finish line brings tears to my eyes and means that even the impossible can be possible.”
Whittingham accomplished her goal finishing the race in 15:40:43 showing the world Anything is Possible® (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen / Getty Images for IRONMAN)
SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET: Taylor Knibb (USA) was in the spotlight as she moved into second place on the bike course after a strong swim in Kailua Bay. Knibb ultimately finished in fourth in her first ever IRONMAN (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
CHASING THE LEAD: Leading a group of professional triathletes, Kat Matthews (GBR) rides down the Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway. Unfortunately, she pulled out of the race when she reached Hawi due to challenges (Photo Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
SEA OF SPECTATORS: Crowds line Ali’i drive to welcome home the new 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Champion, Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR). Anne Haug (GER) is shortly behind, while 5x IRONMAN World Champion, Daniela Ryf (CHE) comes in fifth. (Photo credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN) – DOWNLOAD TOP | (Photo credit: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
MORNING RAYS: The sun shines down brightly on the first-ever women’s-only VinFast IRONMAN World Championship on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
ONE THE FOR GRID?: An age-grouper proudly smiles as she clutches her well-deserved medal by a giant Hawaiian M dot in the lobby of the King Kamahameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. (Photo credit: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
RACE DAY MORNING: The sun rises and the clouds clear over Kailua-Kona ahead of the first-ever the women’s only VinFast IRONMAN World Championship race on October 14, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
PEER OVER THE PIER: Thousands of bikes are set for competition inside the transition on the Kailua Pier ahead of the the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon on October 14, in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN)
WATER, EARTH, WIND AND FINALLY FIRE: Hawaiian fire dancers officially close the finish line, marking the end of the 2023 Women’s VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon. (Photo credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for IRONMAN)