This was a record smashing year for women on the run in Ironman. And while Iron men came within a few ticks of the clock of the best runs ever, most of the men’s action came in the form of sub-30 minute 10ks in ITU racing. But from sprint 5ks to Ultraman double marathons, from elite professionals to the youngest amateurs, faithful training and racing sculpted triathlon bodies into the most ideal shapes for running. And so the final leg of the triathlon provided great targets for the lens.

All photographs © Timothy Carlson

John Dahlz takes an elegant stride toward the finish at Pacific Grove.

Robert Hillery carried this heavy flag 52.4 miles on Ultraman’s final day to remember fellow Marines who fell in the line of duty.

Magali Tisseyre’s swift, insouciant stride along Wildflower’s trails is accompanied by a bouncy pony tail.

Sarah Haskins is among the swiftest runners in the ITU ranks. She fought the pains of a balky ankle as long as possible at Hy-Vee and for much of the year.

Kris Gemmell outdueled everyone but Tim Don at Hy-Vee.

Kenneth Rakestraw and his angular frame arrived first at the Wildflower Olympic distance finish.

Mike LeRoux of Australia proved that a muscular man can win at the Ultraman game.

Julie Dibens ran fast enough to win Abu Dhabi and Wildflower, and hung on bravely for third in her Kona debut.

Jarrod Shoemaker outdueled defending USAT Elite champion Matt Chrabot at Tuscaloosa, but was aced by Aussie Brendan Sexton for the overall.

Next to the Macca-Andreas Raelert duel at Kona, the mano a mano between Michael Raelert and Filip Ospaly at Clearwater was the best dogfight for a long course championship.

A young girl sprints like a champ at the Pacific Grove short course race.

Six-time Ultraman champion Shanna Armstrong set personal bests in the race and for the double marathon but was aced by Amber Monforte and Hillary Biscay.

Thomas Vonach, Yvonne Van Vlerken’s main man, enjoyed his Kona run.

Timothy O’Donnell runs on a sunny day in Boulder.

The road seems to stretch ahead forever midway through the long Ultraman run from Hawi to Kailua-Kona.

Uli Bromme runs past one of Tempe’s palaces of art and culture.

Michael Raelert grabs water on the way to a second straight Ironman 70.3 World Championship.

Tenille Hoogland of Canada drinks deeply to fuel her winning run at the inaugural San Francisco Triathlon at Alcatraz.

Scott Terry of the US Naval Academy Triathlon team runs along the Annapolis
Waterfront.

Age grouper cools off on the run along Lake Lopez at Scott Tinley’s Adventures.