Photos: 2018 Ironman World Championship - Men's Race

The pro men kicked off the morning at 6:35 a.m. Photo: Oliver Baker

The age-group men kick off a long day of racing. It rained a good chunk of the night, but stayed completely clear on race day. Photo: Oliver Baker

France’s Denis Chevrot was second out of the swim at 47:41, but had a quick transition and was first out onto the bike course. Photo: Oliver Baker

Germany’s Maurice Clavel and Australia’s Josh Amberger head onto the bike course. Photo: Oliver Baker

American Tim O’Donnell heads out onto the bike course, determined to improve on his disappointing 19th finish from 2017. Photo: Oliver Baker

2014 Ironman world champion Sebastian Kienle had a rough day all-around. He got a flat early on in the ride and then struggled to keep pace with the group. He ultimately ended up dropping out on the first mile on the run. Photo: Oliver Baker

Great Britain’s Tim Don was back in Kona one year after missing the race due to a serious race-week bike crash. Photo: Oliver Baker

Defending champion Patrick Lange looked calm and composed throughout the day. Photo: Oliver Baker

New Zealand’s Braden Currie has had strong Ironman performances and was looking to translate that success to the Kona course. Photo: Oliver Baker

In his Kona rookie performance, 2012 Olympic silver medalist Javier Gomez Noya was part of the mix throughout the day. After the race, he said he probably pushed too hard on the bike but knew it was important to stay with the group. He ultimately finished 11th. Photo: Oliver Baker

Josh Amberger was able to hang on to super bikers Cameron Wurf and Andrew Starykowicz as they worked to smash the bike course record. Photo: Oliver Baker

Tim O’Donnell looks back to see how the competition is lining up. Photo: Oliver Baker

American Andrew Starykowicz came into the race determined to prove he was the fastest cyclist at the Ironman distance. He ended up struggling midway through the bike, with Cameron Wurf riding his way to a new bike course record. Photo: Oliver Baker

Brazil’s Igor Amorelli grabs fluids at one of the aid stations on the bike. Photo: Oliver Baker

France’s Romain Guillaume chucks a water bottle at an aid station. Photo: Oliver Baker

American Matt Russell came back to Kona one year after suffering serious injuries in an on-course bike crash. Was more than impressive, ultimately finishing in sixth. Photo: Oliver Baker

Austria’s Michael Weiss managed a 10th place finish on the day. Photo: Oliver Baker

Australia’s Tim Van Berkel was out of contention on the bike, but was able to turn in a 2:50:37 marathon and ultimately finish in 12th. Photo: Oliver Baker

Canadian Lionel Sanders had a disappointing day one year after finishing in second.

Cam Wurf comes out onto the run course in the lead.

Spain’s Javier Gomez

The United States’ Tim O’Donnell

Germany’s Patrick Lange

Germany’s Sebastian Kienle

Great Britain’s David McNamee en route to his second third place finish in a row–this year six minutes faster than last year with an 8:01:09.

New Zealand’s Braden Currie stays fueled for a 4:19:44 bike split.

Spain’s Javier Gomez races alongside Austria’s Michael Weiss. Weiss edged out Kona rookie Gomez for 10th place with an 8:11:04. Gomez kicked it in for 11th with an 8:11:41.

Superswimmer Aussie Josh Amberger set a new swim course record of 47:39 which stood for…minutes before age grouper Jan Sibbersen beat it with a 46:30. Amberger DNFed somewhere after the first 10K in the run. Photo: Oliver Baker

Lange en route to the fastest Kona race in history. The two-time champion’s run split: 2:41:32. (He holds the run course record of 2:39:45, set in 2016.) His final time: 7:52:39.

Belgium’s Bart Aernauts en route to a second place finish. He used a 2:45:42 run to post a final time of 7:56:41.

Uber biker Cameron Wurf set a new bike record of 4:09:06 today en route to a ninth place finish in 8:10:32.

New Zealand’s Braden Currie placed fifth with an 8:04:41.

Spain’s Javier Gomez runs a 2:59:25 for 11th place.

O’Donnell and Currie were shoulder-to-shoulder for much of the run.

Matt Russell and Michael Weiss run down into the Natural Energy Lab.

James Cunnama finished fifth last year, but didn’t have the same success in 2018. This year he finished 17th.

Patrick Lange runs into the Energy Lab as Lionel Sanders makes his way in.

Bart Aernouts was a bit overshadowed by Patrick Lange, but he also had one of the greatest races in Ironman World Championship history. Photo: Oliver Baker

Austria’s Michael Weiss was able to squeeze into the top 10. Photo: Oliver Baker

TO and Braden Currie ran together for most of the marathon. Photo: Oliver Baker

American Matt Russell on his way to an emotional sixth-place finish. Photo: Oliver Baker

David McNamee en route to posting a 2:46:03 marathon. Photo: Oliver Baker

American Matt Russell runs to a sixth place finish after a horrific crash on this course last year left him with life-threatening injuries. Photo: Oliver Baker