Daniela Ryf Wins Record Third 70.3 World Title

The women took center stage on Saturday in Chattanooga.

Photo: Competitive Image / @CompImagePhoto

New perk! Get after it with local recommendations just for you. Discover nearby events, routes out your door, and hidden gems when you sign up for the Local Running Drop.

2017 — Through the smoke of the starter’s cannon, the female pros start the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Lauren Brandon leads the group out of the water in the early morning sun at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Jennifer Spieldenner and Helle Fredrikson head toward T1. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Annabelle Luxford begins the climb up Lookout Mountain. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Olympian Sarah True has moved up from draft-legal ITU format to Ironman 70.3 racing. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Haley Churra climbs Lookout Mountain. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Daniela Ryf pushed to the front early on and never looked back. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Churra continues to climb to the iconic Lookout Mountain. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Jeanni Seymour is having a great year coming into this year’s championship. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Daniela Ryf is becoming accustomed to racing with media attention. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Alicia Kaye pushes to make up time on her specialty – the bike. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Haley Chura pushing on a slight downhill break of the massive climb. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Daniela took almost an eight-minute lead on the the run course. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Sarah True on her way to an impressive fourth-place finish. “Thanks to everyone for the support for 4th at 70.3 World Champs! At the risk of cliché, I was just happy to compete for love of the sport,” True wrote on Twitter. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Jeanni Seymour on the run. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — American Alicia Kaye on her way to a 13th-place finish. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Helle Fredrikson finished fifth on the day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Sarah True running across one of the many bridges on the course. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Heather Wurtelle on the bridge. The Canadian finished seventh. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Brit Emma Pallant ran her way into second place. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Daniela on the way home to the cheers of fans. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Laura Philipp from Germany got the final podium spot. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Heather Wurtele has been a consistent 70.3 World Championship podium finish, but didn’t quite get there today. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Daniela floats in to the finish. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Ryf becomes the first athlete to win three Ironman 70.3 World Championships. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Emma Pallant celebrates on her way to a second-place finish. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Laura Philipp smiles and takes the final step on the podium. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Who will stand on top of the podium in 2018? Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf made it look easy over a brutal course seemingly carved out for her as she captured her fifth Ironman world title and a historic third 70.3 crown in a time of 4 hours 11 minutes 59 seconds—a full 6:36 over her nearest competitor Emma Pallant (GBR) and 7:41 on Laura Philipp (GBR), who rounded out the podium in third. Read the complete race recap.