The finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Kona is a focal point of intense emotions – whether exultation in victory, sheer relief at the cessation of pain after 140.6 miles of supreme effort, or satisfaction at keeping a promise to one's self and/or loved ones that anything is possible if the will is iron and the heart is fully engaged.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
Jan Frodeno exults fiercely after his 3rd place finish and second-best 2:47:46 marathon in his Kona baptism.
Framed by the German flag, Sebastian Kienle looks to the skies, grateful for his Kona victory.
In a triathlon version of entertainer James Brown’s drawn-out “Please, please don’t go” stage routine, Sebastian Kienle drops to the carpet and shakes his fists in a triumphant reverie minutes after crossing the line.
Flanked by podium finishers Ben Hoffman and Jan Frodeno, winner Sebastian Kienle wears his victory lei looking like a happy, mischievous Puck in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Andy Potts carefully hits the stop button on his best-ever 4th place finish in 8:21:38, capped off with a 3rd-best 2:48:18 run.
Hard to say what was Nils Frommhold’s more spectacular feat – finishing in 6th place or his ability to execute a perfect Gene Kelly-style heels-together click at the end of a 140.6 mile day.
Ironman CEO Andrew Messick congratulates Frommhold.
Tim Van Berkel accepts congratulations for his 7th place finish in 8:23:26.
Estonian Marko Albert offers congratulations to a spent Jeremy Jurkiewicz of France for his 18th place finish.
Marko Albert and his good friend Boris Stein.
After his 13th place finish, three-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander shares a moment with his daughter Lucy.
Levi Maxwell of Australia finished 26th overall, 2nd overall amateur and 1st in men’s 25-29 in a time of 8:52:14.
Six-time Kona champion Mark Allen makes a point with 1994 Ironman World Champion and current announcer Greg Welch.
The thrill of victory exemplified by 3-time Kona champion Mirinda Carfrae, who finished in 9:00:55 with a record 2:50:26 marathon.
Armed with everything from Go-Pros on a stick to top level Nikons and Canons, to smartphones, the finish line crowd wants a record of the big moment
Daniela Ryf signifies that she gave it all of her heart in a debut 2nd place finish.
Winner Rinny Carfrae hugs good friend Rachel Joyce after her 3rd place finish.
A happy fan gives a thumbs-up for the top finishers.
Flanked by her coach, 6-time Ironman World Champion Dave Scott, Rachel Joyce flashes a transcendent smile.
After her 4th-place finish, Jodie Swallow is helped from the finish line area by her coach Siri Lindley.
