No matter what feats of courage and derring-do occur during the 10k swim and the 261.4 miles of biking that precede it, the Ultraman World Championship is ultimately decided on the third day’s double marathon from Hawi to Kailua-Kona. On this the 27th triathletic circumnavigation of the Big Island of Hawaii on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Jonas Colting’s injured hip precluded a third victory and Alexandre Ribeiro’s steady brilliance led him to a record 5th title. Amber Monforte felt she wasn't as fit as she was last year when she smashed the course record, but the Reno, Nevada nurse managed to post the third-fastest women’s time in the race’s history and take her second Ultraman World Championship – finishing behind just five hardy men.

The run stage began in the dark at 6 AM, and the winds that buffeted cyclists the day before on the ascent and descent of the Kohala range pushed the runners with a tailwind on the first 17 downhill miles to Kawaihae – and threw in a few sidewind sections that had the front runners and back of the packers democratically leaning to stay on the road.

In the final miles, the winds calmed and the sun lent unusually gentle warmth to the 33 official and two unofficial entries to complete the last 52.4 miles of their quest.

Enduring, brave souls all.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

At the start, Alexandre Ribeiro teamed up with fellow top runner Miro Kregar to surge ahead and wipe out his 15-minute deficit to leader Jonas Colting and 7 minutes he trailed Michael Coughlin.

Two-day leader Jonas Colting knew his hip was injured, but he gave it his all for 6 miles before he could go no more.

Consuela Lively ran 9:05:38 to finish 3rd woman and 17th overall in 29:35:25.

Chris Draper and his favorite pacer mime a kiss at the beginning of his 5th-best 7:41:56 double marathon that brought him to the finish in an overall time of 29:59:58 for 10th place overall.

Juan Craveri of Argentina ran 8:29:34 for a 22nd place finish in 31:14:15 – and thus completed a 2011 Ultraman triple of Wales, Canada and Hawaii.

Milton de Souza of Brazil runs in what appears to be a trance state on his way to a 4th-best 7:26:28 run and a three-day total time of 25:01:01 and a 7th overall – 18:59 behind Monforte.

Vanusa Maciel of Brazil looked strong all three days as she ran 8:26:29 and finished second woman and 13th overall in a total of 28:30:32.

Maciel and her pace runner head south toward Kawaihae.

The wild winds cutting through the pass at Kawaihae threw up a huge cloud of dust over the coastline behind 28th place finisher Andres Trasloheros of Mexico on his way to a 9:15:23 run.

Nino Cokan looked cheerful on his way to a 9th-best 8:03:51 run and 4th place overall – 44:35 behind Slovenian countryman Miro Kregar.

The tailwinds stayed fierce on the Queen K just before the halfway point. If you don't believe it, look at the palm tree leaves standing at attention as Michael Coughlin runs past on his way to a third-best 6:47:47 run and second place overall.

Alexandre Ribeiro played his cards just right and advanced from third to first overall with his final day 6:30:39 run.

Michael Coughlin adopted the safari look pioneered by the equally scientifically inclined Torbjorn Sindballe at Ironman Hawaii a few years ago.

Miro Kregar’s daughter Lisa makes a smooth handoff of water to her father about Mile 30 of his race-best 6:24:10 run.

Assured of third place, but thanks to a mistake-filled first day too far back to challenge Ribeiro and Coughlin, Miro Kregar stops at the 39.3-mile checkpoint for a picture with race announcer Steve King.

Michael Coughlin was 21 minutes back of Ribeiro after the first marathon, but closed that overall race margin to 9:14 at the line.

Ribeiro and his crew celebrate his record 5th Ultraman Hawaii triumph.

Nino Cokan couldn’t be happier with his 4th-place finish.

Scott Gower and his happy family-crew celebrated his 11th place finish in 27:10:18.

Amber Monforte can take quiet pride in her final day 7th-best run of 7:50:27, her second straight win and 6th overall finish in 24:42:02 – the third-fastest women’s time in Ultraman history.