Search
shop

IRONMAN Kona 2024: Gustav Iden hopes of Hawaii repeat dented by LITTERING penalty

The man who won the IMWC the last time it was held in Kona saw his already-slim chances dented further by a 60-seconds penalty.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Gustav Iden, who won the IRONMAN World Championship two years ago when it was last held in Kona, saw his chances of a repeat impacted by a penalty for littering on the bike today (Saturday).

Penalties had looked likely in the first half of the 112-mile bike section as there was a near 20-man chase group trying to keep tabs on leaders Sam Laidlow and Magnus Ditlev.

But with RaceRanger draft-detection technology being used for the first time for the men’s race in Hawaii, drafting penalties had looked the most likely source.

However Iden was shown a yellow card for “unintentional littering”. That meant he had to spend 60 seconds in the penalty tent to add to an already hefty deficit.

Advertisement

Losing contact

Iden had lost 3:31 in the swim after losing touch with the front group and – despite a much discussed new aero position on the bike – that only went out.

Gustav Iden IRONMAN World Championship 2024 bike photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Gustav Iden in action in Kona in that ‘superman’ position [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]

At the 31-mile point he was 6:53 behind Laidlow and at the 50-mile mark it was over nine minutes.

And unfortunately that trend continued – he was 20 minutes behind by T2 and would exit the race before the halfway point on the run.

Iden has had a challenging two years – both on a professional and personal level – and had suggested in the build-up that a victory on his Kona return would likely be beyond him.

Double trouble for Team Norway

And the sanction came at around the same time that things were going wrong for Iden’s fellow Norwegian and great friend Kristian Blummenfelt.

Big Blu had moved up to third but a shocking bout of vomiting saw him lose what must have been pretty much all of his nutrition.

That’s something he’s fought back from before but such was the extent of it – and the time lost as he dropped down the field – that he would never get back in the mix.

However he battled all the way to the finish line as he came home in 35th place behind impressive winner Patrick Lange who claimed a third Kona title.

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
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
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
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...