Pre-Race From Ironman Arizona

Athletes are gearing up for a big day of racing in Tempe!

Photo: Competitive Image / @CompImagePh

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2017 — Finland’s Kaia Sali is in Tempe after a fifth-place finish at the Ironman World Championship. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — American Sarah Piampiano is racing after a disappointing day in Kona. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Ironman Arizona always gets a fast field, with athletes looking for early KPR points and quick times on the flat(ish) course. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Denmark’s Michelle Vesterby is always smiling and bringing happiness to those around her. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — It’s a Canadian battle in the men’s race! Brent McMahon won this race three years ago and battled with Lionel Sanders last year. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Jeff Symmonds is in Arizona looking for a fast time. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Lionel Sanders said that he’ll use Ironman Arizona to test a couple of things after his second-place finish in Kona. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Sanders was popular at the press conference, with several age groupers lining up to get a photo from the champ. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The pro panel on a beautiful day in Tempe. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — A large group of fans and age-group athletes gathered to listen to the pros. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Six super fast pros. Who will be on top of the podium on Sunday? Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Will one of these Canadians win? Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — These three have all had success at the Ironman distance. With Meredith Kessler at home ready to welcome a baby any day, there will be a new champion on Sunday. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The expo was busy! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Don’t try anything new on race day! But definitely check out the rad gear at the expo. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Thumbs up! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — A little recovery for the big day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The Tempe landscape has changed a lot over the past few years, with several new buildings lining Tempe Town Lake. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — A long day at the expo, but always a smile! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The pros gather for a pre-race meeting. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Denmark’s Helle Frederiksen is ready to take on Ironman! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — The Ironman village. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — Big smiles before a big day of racing. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto

2017 — American Heather Jackson calls Arizona home for a good chunk of the year, but she’s still recovering from Kona and will be cheering athletes on on Sunday. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image/@Compimagephoto