Search
shop

IRONMAN Kona: Magnus Ditlev made AMAZING recovery after fearing he was FINISHED in T2

"I just basically put one foot in front of the other for the entire run," says great Dane after transforming his IMWC fortunes.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

There were plenty of blow ups during an incredible IRONMAN World Championship in Kona – and eventual runner-up Magnus Ditlev has revealed his name was so nearly added to the list.

Defending champion Sam Laidlow’s implosion after what had been a record-breaking bike leg was the most high-profile.

He saw a nine-minute lead to eventual winner Patrick Lange gobbled up within the first half of the marathon, with Laidlow reduced to a walk before he bravely battled to the finish.

Advertisement

‘People were blowing up all over the place’

But great Dane Ditlev had been the man for most of the 112 miles who had been closest to Laidlow on two wheels.

However he so nearly paid the price for that as he lost chunks of time in the closing stages of the bike, so much so that he admitted: “I was very certain my day was done when I entered T2.”

Magnus Ditlev IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Kona bike [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]
Magnus Ditlev gave it his all on the bike in Kona [Photo credit: Getty Images for IRONMAN]

Going into more detail at the post-race press conference, which is embedded below, he added: “Somehow, I told myself at least run out at an easy pace you know you can sustain. Run out to the turnaround at Ali’i Drive [the very first section] and see where you are.

“I didn’t feel really good on the run to be honest and people came past me in the beginning but then I could see that the gaps were stabilising and people were blowing up all over the place so I kind of just basically put one foot in front of the other for the entire run.”

Mental strength

But that strength of mind would pay dividends as he started to move back through the field.

He explained how the tide started to turn, saying: “I suddenly found myself close to the podium and that was when everything flicked in my head and I found the motivation again.

“I was pretty certain that I was running at a pace that I would be able to sustain and in an IRONMAN in these conditions, you know that when the gaps stabilise and the people in front of you are getting closer, you know which way it’s going to go.

“That really motivated me and I’m super happy and proud that I managed to come in second place here. I didn’t even think I would be able to run the marathon when I entered T2 but I’ve been doing a lot of work on my mental game.”

Ditlev’s second place – in common with the first four of Lange, himself, Rudy von Berg and Leon Chevalier – was one better than last year and it’s pushed him within a whisker of the #1 spot on the update PTO world rankings.

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
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...