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
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
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
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
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...