More than 1,900 athletes overcame tough conditions at Sunday’s Ironman Tulsa to compete on the inaugural course. The pro race saw athletes from around the world travel to Oklahoma for the chance to earn a share of $150,000 and nail down a Kona qualification spot. It was two-time Ironman world champion Patrick Lange (GER) and four-time Ironman world champion Daniela Ryf (SUI) who earned the victories in 7:45:22 and 8:40:34 respectively. Read a complete recap of the weekend of racing here.
Gone are the days of mass starts at Ironman events. Instead, athletes enter the water a few at a time. An athlete’s clock time officially starts when they cross the timing mat at the water’s edge. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Ironman
The pro women, led by Daniela Ryf in the golden cap, make their way into the water for the 2.4-mile swim. Photo: FinisherPix
The pro women start their day of racing. The swim course in Keystone Lake featured a unique point-to-point layout. Photo: FinisherPix
Nearly 2,000 age-group athletes line up for a long day of racing. Photo: FinisherPix
Daniela Ryf exited the water in 52:21 and went on to dominate the bike. Photo: FinisherPix
Patrick Lange turned in a bike split of 4:17:05 before a blazing marathon. Photo: FinisherPix
While many thought Tulsa would be a hot event with its timing at the end of May, it was actually the rain that gave athletes the hardest time on Sunday. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Ironman
The United States’ Alexander Mccrohan on his way to winning the 50-54 division. Photo: FinisherPix
Daniela Ryf dominated the bike course on Saturday, finishing the 112-mile ride in 4:38:56. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Ironman
Whether it was from quick legs or a short course, the Ironman times were blazing fast on Sunday. Lange finished the 26.2 miles in 2:36:46. Photo: FinisherPix
Age-group athlete David Carter on his way to finishing the flat and fast marathon. Photo: FinisherPix
Patrick Lange kicked off a flurry of fast finish times, crossing the line in 7:45:22. Photo: FinisherPix
Jan Van Berkel (second place), Patrick Lange (first place), and Daniel Bækkegård (third place) made up an all-European podium. Photo: FinisherPix
Athletes celebrate atop the podium. Photo: FinisherPix
Daniela Ryf reaches the finish line after putting together a 52:51 swim, 4:38:56 bike, and a 3:04:55 marathon. Her total finish time was 8:40:34. Photo: FinisherPix
Skye Moench (third place), Daniela Ryf (first place), and Katrina Matthews (second place) made up the women’s podium. Photo: FinisherPix
Athletes run under a bridge on the marathon course, which mostly goes around the lake. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Ironman
The Ironman Tulsa finish line was in the heart of downtown Tulsa. Photo: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for Ironman