Search
shop

Gustav Iden on Kona effort: ‘I’m not sure if I’m coming back!’

Nobody said it was going to be easy! New IRONMAN World Champion, Gustav Iden, on his Kona debut
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Even if you have a running style that has you seemingly floating like Gustav Iden, any IRONMAN is going to hurt. Nobody said that winning the IRONMAN World Championship would come easy!

After a (course record) 2:36:15 marathon, followed a front pack swim and 4:11:06 bike split, he crossed the famous finish line on Ali’i Drive to set an all-time course record figure of 7:40:26. He needed that level of performance however, as it took until almost 36km into the run before he could finally pass another rookie, Sam Laidlow, and hit the front.

One and done?

While he still looked fresh at the finish, he spoke shortly after crossing the line about just how deep he had to dig.

“That was so freaking hard. I was worried that the legend of the island was killing me. Everything was going pretty smoothly until I caught Sam Laidlow, the legend, and then when I passed him, oh my god, the island really tried to pull me down. But I think my hat must be stronger than the legend of the island.”

That, of course, was a reference to the now infamous hat he found on a street in Tokyo.

gustav-iden-kona-2022-run-finish
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

“That was so, so epic. I’m so proud of Sam and Kristian [Blummenfelt] for making the podium – even though Kristian should have come second! – but we’ll have to try again later, I guess. I’m not sure if I’m coming back here… this was too hard.”

The efforts of the day hadn’t eliminated the sharp humour of the now IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, who – following Chelsea Sodaro’s win on Thursday – showed again that a Kona first-timer can find success.

“I executed my plan quite well actually. I was supposed to really push from the Energy Lab. Kristian was pushing on the hill out of Energy Lab and I waited a few minutes more and pushed when the wind changed. I think my plan was pretty solid for a rookie, because apparently you can’t win here the first time.”

He was similarly understated about what was a truly record-breaking day, which also saw the entire top-10 finish in under eight hours, as well as four of them going under the previous all-time best figure.

“Yes, I think three or four guys also broke it? I can’t only blame the conditions, I think people are in quite good shape as well.”

iden-laidlow-blummenfelt-kona-2022-podium-2
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown Santa Vall gravel race 2025 photo credit Santa Vall and Gravel Earth Series
Kate Waugh and Georgia Taylor-Brown among strong British line-up at T100 London
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...