Mark Allen’s glittering triathlon career included six (SIX) IRONMAN World Championship titles, but it also produced one of the greatest – maybe THE greatest – win streak in the sport’s history.
The American superstar not only ruled at Kona, but at all venues over all distances and against all-comers. As well as those wins in Hawaii – and a perfect 10 in Nice – he also went on an unbelievable run which brought him 21 consecutive victories in 21 races between 1988 and 1990.
During that sensational run he claimed a pair of IRONMAN World Championship victories in Kona, and showcased his versatility by winning the sport’s inaugural ITU World Championships over the Olympic distance at Avignon in 1989.
Allen took to Instagram this week to remember that streak, and to ask who follows him when it comes to periods of dominance in triathlon.
Mark Allen on amazing win streak
He said: “Over the course of my racing career I tried to stay present in my pursuit, so much so that it has been brought to my attention by my business partner Scott Zagarino that I may have underplayed a few things.
“One of those things was that at some point in my career I managed to win 21 straight races across every multi sport distance and discipline over the course of two seasons. The streak included some pretty stellar fields. In fact, over the course of the streak I faced every athlete that appeared in the world rankings at least once. Heck, I even beat my close friend and training partner @kennyesouza in a duathlon. Talk about being in the zone?
“Anyway, kind of fun to measure my durability and grit against the standards of the ensuing years. Anyone know what the second longest streak is?”
Allen won 66 of the 96 races he entered – per IRONMAN stats – in a fantastic display of brilliance and longevity. A marker for the greats of today to aim for. Over to you messrs Frodeno, Blummenfelt, Iden and co.
