Some finishes are like the unalloyed joy of a five-year-old’s birthday party filled with balloons and cake. Others are more like that famous Spirit of ’76 painting of wounded soldiers playing the fife and drum after a tough campaign. Virtually all of them feature the unleashing of deep emotions fueled by the tremendous emotional and physical investment required to achieve a great endurance performance. And to be sure, the time frame for those moments at the finish is not limited to the instant of crossing the line. The realization of what it all meant can come at the instant the timing chip registers on the computer. But as often it comes not at the absolute finish of the race, but at the end of a tough stage, in the medical tent, on the podium, or even at a post-race party a day later.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
Tom Lowe’s joy at his breakthrough third place finish at Ironman Arizona might well be measured by his wingspan.
Tim Berkel went Berserkel at his world class 8:07 winning time at Challenge Copenhagen.
Rebekah Keat broke 9 hours and was accompanied to the Copenhagen finish by one of Rasmus and Anita Henning’s daughters with a handful of balloons.
Caroline Steffen of Switzerland amazed herself but not coach Brett Sutton at her second place finish at the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Laura Bennett topped off a nice gradual comeback to form in 2010 following her 4th place finish at the Beijing Olympics. Bennett took top honors for the second time at the USAT Elite National Championship in Tuscaloosa.
The pain of a bloody, wounded leg suffered in a bike crash finally hits Copenhagen winner Rebekah Keat in the medical care unit.
Steven Sexton cools down his overheated core in an ice bath after finishing a hot and humid Us Elite Championship in Tuscaloosa.
Tim Don joyfully displays a giant cardboard version of his $200,000 winner’s check at Hy-Vee.
Clemens Conen exults at the Kona finish.
Macca and his family celebrate his stirring Kona victory with a hug.
Two-time Ironman World champions Tim DeBoom (2001, 2002) and Normann Stadler (2004, 2006) had an off day but enjoyed running the final 7 miles together at Kona.
Daniel Fontana lost too much time with troubles on the bike to match his 2nd place finish in 2009 and had to settle for an honorable 7th.
Maik Twelsiek offers tender mercies and water to fiancée Hillary Biscay after her impressive -- and painful -- 2nd place finish at Ultraman.
Jonas Colting of Sweden was unable to match his 2004 and 2007 victories at Ultraman Hawaii. But he should be proud of holding on against physical woes for a second place finish.
Amber Monforte takes relief from the pain of the final day’s 52.4-mile run with a bath in the salty Pacific after her record setting finish at Ultraman Hawaii.
Tim Don and Kris Gemmell lay spent and exhausted after their 1-2 finish at Hy-Vee.
Age group man charges to the finish at the USAT sprint nationals in Tuscaloosa.
Emma Snowsill shows relief and joy after her comeback win at Hy-Vee.
Winner Mirinda Carfrae and third place finisher Julie Dibens share friendship and refreshments at the K-Swiss post-awards party in Kona.
After surviving near-fatal injuries when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver on a training ride in March, Jordan Rapp is gripped by emotions of relief, gratitude and joy at his 4th place finish at Ironman Arizona in November.
