Search
shop

Tim Don is out of the IRONMAN World Championship

Tim Don's hopes of a top result at the IRONMAN World Championship 2017 ended on Wednesday when he was struck by a car while cycling in Kona
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

British star hit by car on Wednesday, fractures C2 vertebrae

After one of the best seasons of his long and exceptionally distinguished career, Great Britain’s Tim Don had his hopes of a top performance at the IRONMAN World Championships ended today (Wednesday) in Kona, when he was hit by a car while cycling.

Posting on his Instagram account (embedded below), Tim posted a short video from his hospital bed, confirming that the impact had caused a fractured C2 vertebrae that will keep him in a brace for five or six weeks. Fortunately, the treatment will not require an operation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaIiQs6FuRf/?hl=en&taken-by=tri_thedon

A horrible ending for a 2017 season which has been a great one to this point, for an athlete who had already won career World Championship titles in Triathlon (Senior and Junior), Duathlon and Aquathlon.

Bronze at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga (to add to the same medal from the 2014 Championships in Mont Tremblant), followed a stunning performance at IRONMAN Brazil which saw him set a new fastest time for an official IRONMAN event of 7:40:23. Further wins in Mexico and China amongst others, all of which had shown impressive development of his cycling prowess – yet all with Kona as the ultimate target for the season.

Get well soon Tim.

#GBKona coverage 2017
#GBKona coverage 2017
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
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
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!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
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
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
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...