Las Vegas offered nothing if not variety. From the baking heat in 2011 to the cool, rainy 70.3 World Championship of 2013, the only constant was a great, challenging course that rewarded classic, all around talent. The first two years, the hills of Henderson Nevada pretty much ruled out the inevitable drafting effect that plagued the pool table flat Ironman 70.3 World Championship course at Clearwater. But perhaps the increasing quality of the pro fields erased that aspect this year as the men’s lead pack on the bike course numbered two dozen at times. But the hard pace still wore down the pretenders so only the best could unleash a winning run. That toughness makes men’s repeat winner Sebastian Kienle of Germany and two-time women’s winner Melissa Hauschildt of Australia triathletes for the ages – albeit still waiting for an equal triumph when the distance is doubled.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

Some say that adversity reveals character better than victory. Three-time Ironman World champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion Craig Alexander took his bike penalty like a man and did not whine after placing 19th.

Joe Gambles offers what looks like a prayer before the race. Gambles sought his first Ironman 70.3 podium after a 4th, 5th and 4th in previous years. This year, in a rain, his prayer was answered.

Pro men's swim start in Lake Las Vegas.

A long line of riders climb one of the desert hills.

Josh Amberger was first out of the swim in 23:22 and held the lead on the bike for a long while until Sebastian Kienle took over. Amberger faded to 33rd on the run.

Catriona Morrison positions her drink bottle in the aerodynamic sweet spot. Her 2nd-fastest 1:21:49 run brought her up to 4th at the finish.

Defending champion Leanda Cave fought injuries for most of the year. She brought her best to the race, and offered no excuses and did not whine when she faded to 13th on the run. The woman has championship character.

Defending champion Sebastian Kienle erased his 2:16 deficit after the swim by 20 miles into the bike course. His race-best 2:10:10 bike split was 2:24 faster than the next best effort and 4 minutes faster than his serious rivals.

Tim Reed of Australia had a competitive 2:14:15 bike split and placed 5th overall.

Jan Frodeno of Germany, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, stayed with the first chase pack through the bike and put all his chips on the table with the run.

Olympic silver medalist Lisa Norden gave it her best shot despite a recurrence of plantar fasciitis two weeks before Vegas. But when she incurred a 4-minute penalty on the bike, a world title was gone. Still she soldiered on and finished 8th.

Norden endured her time in the penalty box with customary good grace.

Jan Frodeno started the run like a bullet, but his kamikaze, all-or-nothing bet led to a DNF.

Sebastian Kienle is famed for his bike prowess, but his 3rd-fastest 1:14:50 run brought him to the finish with a second straight 70.3 World title.

Joe Gambles fought off a charge by Andy Potts to take home his first Ironman 70.3 World Championship podium. Gambles’ 1:14:29 was the day’s 2nd-best run.

Melissa Hauschildt’s race-fastest 1:21:37 run sealed her second Ironman 70.3 World Championship gold.

Sebastian Kienle said his second straight Ironman 70.3 World Championship was his most important victory - after enduring doubt, and injuries and sickness for most of the year.

Heather Jackson unleashed a 3rd-fastest 1:22:55 run to pass Annabel Luxford with one mile to go and take the silver. Jackson has placed 5th, 4th, 3rd and now 2nd at this race.

Annabel Luxford cools off after her 3rd place finish.

Melissa Hauschildt finally gets a bandage for the cuts she suffered in a crash with 3 kilometers to go on the bike leg.