The 2022 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona culminated on Saturday with the eagerly-anticipated men’s PRO race and it saw records shattered left, right and centre.
Star of the show was Gustav Iden who won a first title on his first attempt in a course record 7:40:24, a Kona marathon best of 2:36:15 sealing the deal as he passed gallant runner-up Sam Laidlow late on.
Reigning champion Kristian Blummenfelt was third and Max Neumann fourth. The top four were all rookies and all beat the previous course record. Click here to read more about some fantastic performances just behind them as the top 10 all went under eight hours.
What time does the race start?
The men’s PRO race starts at 0625 local time on Saturday October 8, 2022. That is 1225 Eastern Time in the United States, or 0925 Pacific. If you are in the UK, the action starts at 1725 while CET is 1825.
Who is racing in Kona?
The field of course is headed by that sensational Norwegian pair of Blummenfelt and Iden.
‘Big Blu’, the reigning Olympic and WTCS Champion, has done pretty nicely over full distance this year already, claiming the delayed 2021 IRONMAN World Championship in St George AND going Sub7 in Germany a few short weeks later.
Iden, if you believe the bookmakers, is likely to be the biggest danger. The two-time and reigning IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion was terrific on his full-distance bow in Florida late last year, but missed St George in May due to illness.
Britain’s Joe Skipper has been well supported in recent days and he comes into the race with high hopes of derailing that Hype Train after performing so admirably vs Blummenfelt in that Sub7 spectacular in June.
The giant Dane Magnus Ditlev has the power on the bike to really rattle his Scandinavian rivals and comes into the race in hot form after a brilliant victory at Challenge Roth.
Only a fool would write off the hopes of Germany’s Patrick Lange after his brilliant victories in Kona in 2017 and 2018, while compatriot Sebastian Kienle adds another former winner to the cast in what will be his last dance in Hawaii.
Canadian star Lionel Sanders once again looks to conquer the Big Island, while New Zealander Braden Currie – third in St George – is back again for another title bid.
The Scandinavian connection has another challenger in the shape of Dane Daniel Bækkegård, while recent PTO US Open hero Collin Chartier will line up as well.
An intriguing plot is thickened by the presence of Cameron Wurf, while two-time bronze medallist David McNamee tries for a third podium finish in Kona.
It is an intoxicating mix of swim/bike/run talent, one which should provide a popcorn-worthy feast of triathlon greatness on Saturday.
The full start list and bib numbers for the pro men at Kona 2022 is here.
Who is not racing in Kona?
The biggest name missing from the field of course is the great Jan Frodeno, who will not bid for a fourth IRONMAN World Championship title after failing to recover from a hip injury.
The other huge name who will not line up in Hawaii on Saturday is Britain’s double Olympic Champion Alistair Brownlee. He qualified impressively in Kalmar in August, but within weeks was forced to give up his Hawaii dream due to a stress fracture in his femur.
Who will win at Kona in 2022?
Of course we had previews for you, and they included:
- John Levison puts the focus on the leading contenders for Kona 2022
- John Levison asks who is best of the rest and can they make the podium
- Our expert panel give their men’s podium picks for Kona 2022
IRONMAN Kona course guide
Kona in October presents a unique challenge for the world’s greatest triathletes. We have guides for all three disciplines:
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