Search
shop

IRONMAN Kalmar 2022 results: Brilliant Brownlee books Kona spot

He left it late but delivered in style as Alistair Brownlee earned a Kona slot with a dominant win at IRONMAN Kalmar
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Britain’s Alistair Brownlee proved a class apart as he powered to an emphatic victory at IRONMAN Kalmar in Sweden on Saturday.

The two-time Olympic champion had roared back to form at IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea a fortnight ago.

But an injury and illness-blighted season up until that Welsh win meant that this was his last chance to qualify for the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship at Kona – and he grabbed it in style.

He was part of a select lead group of three for most of the bike leg – Jesper Svensson (SWE) and Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) were the others – and with two Kona slots available and Svensson having already qualified, it was already looking good at that point.

Brownlee started the run 47 seconds down on Svensson but well before the end of the first of three loops he was in front and never looked back.

He crossed the line in 7:38:48, nearly eight minutes ahead of Heemeryck, in what was the fastest-ever full-distance time by a GB athlete.

Advertisement

Swim – Close call early on

There was little between the lead pack in the swim – less than 10 seconds separated the front five, which included both Brownlee and Svensson.

But even Heemeryck in eighth was only 17 seconds back as he exited the water.

Bike – Trio make their move

Alistair Brownlee bike Kalmar 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Brownlee to the fore on the bike [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]

And as things settled down early on the bike that group was whittled down to five, with Brownlee, Svensson and Heemeryck joined by Scott Steenberg (DEN) and Tom Davis (GBR), with nearly a minute-and-a-half back to Elliot Smales (GBR) in sixth.

That quintet stayed largely together and it was only halfway through that Davis was the first to lose touch, soon to be followed by Steenberg.

That left Brownlee and Heemeryck in pole position in terms of those precious Kona places but late on the bike it was the already-qualified Svensson who opened up a small advantage.

Run – Brownlee powers to glory

Coming out of T2 Svensson’s lead was 47 seconds from Brownlee, with a slow transition dropping Heemeryck back to +1:40 in third.

But from that moment on it was the Brownlee show – he was in front after 8km and the others didn’t see him from then on.

Alistair Brownlee run Kalmar 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Brownlee was in splendid isolation [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]

At halfway he was more than five minutes in front of Heemeryck, who himself had a four-minute cushion on the rest.

Brownlee’s marathon time was 2:40:47, almost exactly seven minutes faster than Heemeryck.

IRONMAN Kalmar 2022 results

Saturday 20 August 2022 – 3.8km / 180km / 42.2km

PRO Men

  • 1. Alistair Brownlee (GBR) – 7:38:48
  • 2. Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) – 7:46:39
  • 3. Franz Loeschke (GER) – 7:49:18
  • 4. Thor Bendix Madsen (DEN) – 7:51:14
  • 5. Stenn Goetstouwers (BEL) – 7:51:45
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
triathletes exiting water into t1
Creatine for endurance athletes – expert sports nutritionist on the benefits of creatine in endurance sport
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
MAGIC5 goggles
THEMAGIC5 goggles review – do these custom swimming goggles actually work?
latest News
Mathis Margirier wins the Challenge Championship in Samorin 2023 [Photo credit: Activimages / Challenge Family]
The Championship History: What makes the racing in Šamorín so special?
Former Royal Marine scales Mount Everest to complete the ‘world’s longest triathlon’
Kristian Blummenfelt IRONMAN Texas Fans 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence start lists: Krisitian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden set to star in France
Sam Laidlow wins T100 London 2024 photo credit PTO
IRONMAN World Champion Sam Laidlow opens up on prize money in triathlon
Challenge Salou 2025 Elisabetta Curridori Finish Line
Challenge Salou results 2025: Anne Haug a DNF as Curridori and Davis claim brilliant wins
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...