Water was cold, competition was hot, skies were blue, wind was calm and times were fast at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside.

All photos © Timothy Carlson

Lionel Sanders set his PR at Oceanside - 3:48:58 - and his bike split was just 21 seconds slower than Frodeno. But the German won the day.

Heather Jackson hydrates before the race. She swam 27:28, biked 2:26:36 and ran 1:25:16 for 4th place.

Rodolphe Von Berg of Boulder finished 5th in 3:56:48.

Sarah True had her game face on before setting women’s fastest swim and taking 3rd overall.

Lionel Sanders a few minutes before posting a 24:35 swim.

Age groupers set off 10 at a time in a rolling swim start.

Jan Frodeno led the pro men’s swim in 22:20. Quicker the better to get out of 58 degree water.

Handcycle duo.

Defending champion Holly Lawrence was second in the swim (24:03) and led off the bike before Anne Haug ran her down at Mile 4 of the half marathon.

2016 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Tim Reed biked 2:13:03 – 4:36 slower than Frodeno – on his way to 3rd place.

Daniel Clarke adjusts a water bottle on his way to a 2:22:20 bike split and 20th place overall.

Kennett Peterson goes aero on his way to a 4th-best 2:12:47 bike split and 8th place overall.

Jan Frodeno rode a race-best 2:08:21 bike split on his way to a race record win.

Sarah True was satisfied with her third place finish but not her 2:32:28 bike split.

Eric Lagerstrom had an impressive 4th place finish – 3:54:11 – and run – 1:13:09.

Lionel Sanders ran a second-fastest 1:11:46 on his way to second place.

Minna Koistinen of Finland running on the Oceanside esplanade. She ran 1:29:43 and finished 10th overall woman.

Jan Frodeno was back in form in the race and with his trademark finish line growl.

Anne Haug was blazing fast for the win, but never quite got over the chill of 58 degree water.

Jan Frodeno looked triumphant at the finish, but a few minutes later he showed signs of the effort.