The Historic, Exciting 2018 Tri Season, in 37 Photos

Triathlon photographer Paul Phillips travels the world to capture images from the sport’s top events. Here, he shares his favorite photos from 2018.

Six months after the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria, the 2018 Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico was ready to go. Some of the roads and infrastructure were still in disrepair during the race. There were constant reminders of the storm throughout the race. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Puerto Rico’s Governor Richard Rossell competed in the 70.3. His bib reads “PR se levanta”–meaning Puerto Rico will rise! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

As part of their recovery from the race, over 100 volunteers worked with the Ironman Foundation to help clean and refurbish four homes in one of the neighborhoods just off of the course. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Jan Frodeno is in the lead as he works up the big climb at Camp Pendleton. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Heather Jackson powers to try to bridge the gap up to the leaders in Oceanside. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Lionel Sanders ignores the spectacular view as he chases Jan Frodeno up the Oceanside Pier. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Ironman 70.3 St. George always yields a great race and spectacular views. Here, Meredith Kessler pushes on one of the early climbs. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Sam Appleton rides through gorgeous Snow Canyon in St. George. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Lionel Sanders leaves Snow Canyon behind, totally focused on his goal. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Age-group athletes are treated to some of the best riding on the 70.3 circuit. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Fraser Cartmell is first out of the water at 2018 Challenge Roth. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Super swimmer Lucy Charles passed many of the male pros on her way to being the first out of the water in Roth. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

German Bernd Hagen climbs the famed Solara Berg Hill with 50,000 of his closest friends cheering him on. The crowd splits for the riders to come through. Legend has it that no one ever falls, because the crowd catches them and pushes them up the hill. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Thousands of spectators line the course through the rolling Bavarian countryside on a beautiful day in Roth. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Age-group athletes approach Solar Berg Hill. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Lucy Charles pushes to maintain the lead she established at the start of the day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Sebastian Kienle brings it home in 7:46. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Daniela Smmler passed and was able to fight off Lucy Charles in the final kilometers of the run, winning by nine seconds in 8:42:42. Both left everything on the line. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

The focus always seems to be on the big national and international events, but the local races are the heart and soul of triathlon. YWCA Minneapolis Women’s Tri has more than 1,500 entrants in a variety of distances to welcome women to the sport. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Two athletes smile before the start of the race. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Enjoying a beautiful day in Minneapolis! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Venues that wind through neighborhoods and around local lakes on a Saturday morning with your friends makes the Maple Grove (Minnesota) Tri a local annual hit. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

With the pros well on their way, age-group men are nervously waiting for their time to start their Kona experience. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

The pro women’s chase group at 30 miles into the Kona bike course. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

One of the spectacular views in Kona as the road winds its way to the hills and ultimately Hawi. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

American favorite Heather Jackson on her way back toward T2 in Kona. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Multiple world champion Mirinda Carfrae, doing what she does best—running down the competition on Ali’i Drive. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Meanwhile out at the Energy Lab, Andrew Starykowicz and Tim Don have a moment of mutual support on a long, hot day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Germany’s Patrick Lange executes a perfect race on a perfect day, with a new Kona course record! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Daniela Ryf also goes for perfection with a record-setting day. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

1982 Ironman world champion Kathleen McCartney celebrates another Kona in the books. She was welcomed to the finish by her sons. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

No matter when you finish, celebration is in order and appreciated by the crowds. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

Patrick and Daniela are on hand to greet the final race finishers. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

John and Judy Collins, who put on the very first Ironman race in 1978 were on hand to celebrate 40 years of individual athletic achievements. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

As is tradition, the fire dancers close another Ironman chapter for the year. Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

The 40th anniversary of Kona is in the books! Photo: Paul Phillips/Competitive Image

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