In a day filled with drama, featuring storm tossed waves, a record-smashing bike split and a new overall course mark, the victory of Gustav Iden of Norway during his IM debut and the gutsy come-from-behind win by veteran Heather Jackson of the U.S. stood out at Ironman Florida.
Men
After prevailing in a standout duel with Lionel Sanders of Canada, Iden set a new course record of 7:42:57 which broke the 2019 mark of 7:46:28 set by Joe Skipper. Iden’s new mark was even more impressive because it was set during a storm-tossed swim with splits that were 10 minutes slower than usual. In addition, Iden also set a new course record run with a 2:34:51 marathon which was 1:17 better than the 2019 time set by Ben Hoffman.
While Iden finally broke away from Sanders at Mile 16.9 of the run, Sanders also mounted a brave performance, starting with a 6th-best 58:19 swim, a second-best 4:04:30 bike split which placed him 1:03 behind leader Robert Kallin of Sweden. Never surrendering, Sanders ran shoulder-to-shoulder with Iden until Mile 17, then held on to finish with a personal best 2:40:43 marathon to take second place, 5:52 behind Iden.
Iden now must be considered one of the most prominent triathletes in the world after winning the 2019 and 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championships, the 2020 PTO Championship at Challenge Daytona, and now this record smashing day at Ironman Florida which augurs well for his baptism at the Ironman World Championship.
Kallin’s third place in his Ironman debut was also impressive as the young Swede began with a fastest 57:59 swim, and a fastest 4:03:59 bike split and held in close touch with Iden and Sanders until he struggled and almost fell near the end. His 3:00:36 marathon placed him third, 25:16 behind the winner.
Women
While not setting course records, Jackson prevailed after early race duels with Imogen Simmonds of Switzerland and Sarissa de Vries of Netherlands, and a one-on-one with Skye Moench of the U.S. in the latter half of the run leg. At the beginning Jackson set herself a tough task as she started her day with a 7th-best 1:10:19 swim in heavy chop which placed her in a 10:41 hole.
Jackson fought her way back into contention with a race-best 4:37:49 bike split which brought her to 4th place, 6:32 behind leader Sarissa de Vries of Netherlands. On her way to a women’s-best 2:59:28 marathon, Jackson passed all rivals by Mile 16 of the run and finished in 8:52:57 with a 3:39 margin on Skye Moench of the U.S. and 15:03 on 3rd place finisher Laura Zimmerman of Germany.
Ironman Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida
November 6, 2021
S 2.4 mi. / B 12 mi. / R 26.2 mi.
Men
1. Gustav Iden (NOR) S 58:09 T1 2:43 B 4:05:11 T2 2:05 R 2:34:51 TOT 7:42:57
2. Lionel Sanders (CAN) S 58:19 T1 3:13 B 4:04:30 T2 2:06 R 2:40:43 TOT 7:48:50
3. Robert Kallin (SWE) S 57:59 T1 3:00 B 4:03:59 T2 3:10 R 30:06 TOT 8:08:13
4. Arnaud Guilloux (FRA) S 59:02 T1 2:48 B N/A T2 N/A R 3:17:54 TOT 8:26:38
5. Colin Norris (USA) S 58:22 T1 3:43 B 4:32:56 T2 3:46 R 2:48:22 TOT 8:27:07
6. Pedro Gomes (POR) S 1:00:44 T1 3:48 B 4:31:55 T2 3:41 R 2:52:02 TOT 8:32:09
7. Luis Ohde (BRA) S 58:11 T1 3:11 B 4:39:20 T2 3:14 R 2:57:23 TOT 8:41:17
8. Jess Vondracek (USA) S 1:07:01 T1 3:27 B 4:37:30 T2 2:40 R 2:53:56 TOT 8:44:32
9. Justin Metzler (USA) S 58:03 T1 3:10 B 4:58:04 T2 5:10 R 2:42:57 TOT8:47:22
10. Vincenc Castella Serra (ESP) S 1:09:30 T1 3:38 B 4:38:12 T2 3:14 R 2:54:35 TOT 8:49:08
Women
1. Heather Jackson (USA) S 1:10:19 T1 3:16 B 4:37:49 T2 2:08 R 2:59:28 TOT 8:52:57
2. Skye Moench (USA) S 1:07:30 T1 4:07 B 4:39:50 T2 2:05 R 3:03:06 TOT 8:56:36
3. Laura Zimmerman (GER) S 1:13:13 T1 3:45 B 4:43:29 T2 2:33 R 3:05:03 TOT 9:08:01
4. Jocelyn McCauley (USA) S 1:06:02 T1 3:31 B 4:41:07 T2 3:03 R 3:016:20 TOT 9:10:01
5. Hannah Wells (NZL) S 1:03:50 T1 3:37 B 4:53:56 T2 2:23 R 3:10:19 TOT 9:14:02
6. Imogen Simmonds (SUI) S 1:01:57 T1 4:03 B 4:41:09 T2 2:18 R 3:27:19 TOT 9:16:44
7. Kelly Fillnow (USA) S 1:17:41 T1 4:28 B 4:53:29 T2 2:30 R 3:08:34 TOT 9:26:41
8. Rachel Zilinskas (USA) S 59:38 T1 4:53 B 5:08:09 T2 3:16 R 3:19:10 TOT 9:35:04
9. Jen Annett (CAN) S 1:17:49 T1 4:36 B 4:59:14 T2 2:20 R 3:13:53 TOT 9:37:50
10. Jessica Jones (USA) S 1:13:58 T1 5:36 B 5:06:42 T2 3:16 R 3:09:15 TOT 9:38:44
