Top Images: Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta Triathlon

The 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon saw more than 2,300 athletes representing 37 countries and 47 states start the race. Competitors ranged in age from 18–80 years old. One of more than 110 events in the global IRONMAN 70.3 Series, the IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon

Top Images: Ironman 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta Triathlon
GARDEN GRAND SLAM: Athletes round the first loop inside the Indian Wells Tennis Garden while on 13.1-mile run course at the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

The 2018 IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon saw more than 2,300 athletes representing 37 countries and 47 states start the race. Competitors ranged in age from 18–80 years old. One of more than 110 events in the global IRONMAN 70.3 Series, the IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon led athletes along a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run throughout the cities of Indian Wells and La Quinta, California as well as their surrounding areas. The event offered a total professional prize purse of $25,000 and 30 coveted age group qualifying slots to the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, taking place in Nice, France.

SUNNY DELIGHT: Immersed in the rising sun, this athlete reaches for a swim stroke while on the 1.2-mile swim course in Lake Cahuilla during the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
ULTIVATING THE COMPETITION: Professional Lionel Sanders leads the field as he cycles past the palm tree farms that line the 56-mile bike course at the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
GARDEN GRAND SLAM: Athletes round the first loop inside the Indian Wells Tennis Garden while on 13.1-mile run course at the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
PEDALING PROWESS: An athlete climbs the hill to exit Lake Cahuilla and begin their journey down the 56-mile bike course at the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN)
HOLE-IN-ONE: Athletes traverse over to the Indian Wells Golf Resort while on the 13.1-mile run course during the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
CAHUILLA SUNRISE: A magnificent sunrise covers Lake Cahuilla as the athletes and staff prepare to take off during the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
PALM DESERT: Athletes cycle beneath the towering palms trees and mountains lining the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon bike course on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS: Athletes embark on the 13.1-mile run course beneath the skyline of the snow capped San Jacinto Mountains during the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
MILE POST: Athletes bike past miles of towering palms trees lining the 56-mile bike course during the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
SUN SPLASH: An athletes pauses to re-hydrate while on the IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon 13.1-mile run course on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
MUTUAL RESPECT: Overall winner Lionel Sanders embraces second-place finisher Joe Gambles in a congratulatory hug at the finish of the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
RED CARPET RECEPTION: With the stunning Mountains in the background, this athlete sprints down the finish line chute to complete the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
MAIDEN VOYAGE: The field of professional athletes take off on the 1.2-mile swim course through Lake Cahuilla to commence the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells La Quinta triathlon on Sunday, December 9, 2018 (Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN)