News & Racing

Gallery: Amazing Images from 2021 Ironman 70.3 World Championship

A gallery full of amazing images from the weekends Ironman 70.3 World Championship event in St. George, Utah.

Shawn Smith

September 20, 2021 — 12.55pm. 6 min read

Athletes reach the final stretch of their run as they pass the M-Dot sculpture located at the roundabout on Tabernacle and Main Street in St. George, Utah. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.

Nearly 3,500 athletes including an impressive professional field and top age-groupers undertook the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission. Competitors endured a 1.2-mile (1.9km) ROKA Swim Course in the Sand Hollow Reservoir in Hurricane, Utah, followed by a 56-mile (91.3km) Ventum Bike Course with 3,442 feet (1,049 meters) of elevation gain and an unforgettable climb into Snow Canyon State Park. The event was capped off with the two-loop, 13.1-mile (21.2km) HOKA ONE ONE Run Course through Red Hills Parkway and saw athletes finish in historic downtown St. George, Utah. In order to qualify for the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission, more than 50,000 age-group athletes competed to earn slots at over 45 IRONMAN 70.3 events held worldwide.

The men’s professional field toes the start line of the swim portion at the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.

Athletes begin their race day in the Sand Hollow Reservoir. Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN.

After being given 6 to 18 months to live in March of 2021, Kyle Brown of Farmington, Utah, became determined not to let his diagnosis stop him from living his life. On race day, Brown sported bib number 179 in honor of Jon Blais, the first person with ALS to complete an IRONMAN race. Kyle crossed the finish line continuing to raise awareness for ALS at the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, displaying a flag that reads “It’s too late for me, but not for someone you love. A cure for ALS is close.”

Kyle Brown reacts after finishing the running leg. Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN.

The professional athlete field takes to the waters of Sand Hollow Reservoir. Photo: Donald Miralle/IRONMAN.

Lesley Smith takes on the hilly bike course. Photo: Ezra Shawn/ Getty Images for IRONMAN.

A training crash in 2017, that left Australian Lauren Parker with broken ribs, scapula, back and pelvis, as well as a punctured lung, changed her life forever. Following the accident, Parker transitioned to paratriathlon with great success. Coming off a Silver Medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Parker’s journey to her first IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship appearance has been anything but easy and was made more difficult after suffering burns to her feet in the lead-up to the event, resulting in time at the Intermountain Healthcare St. George Regional Hospital Wound Care Clinic. After being released from the hospital, the support for Parker and coach Brad Fernley didn’t end there. Two Nurses from title partner Intermountain Healthcare, Marci Nell and Sydnee Slack, and Doctor Carl Van Gils, went above and beyond, working with IRONMAN Race Officials to create a plan that allowed Parker to race with their focused aid and support on race day. Marci Nell and Sydnee Slack assisted Parker at the end of each leg to dress her wounds and ensure that her burns were safe and properly covered, with the two nurses on hand to present her with her medal as she crossed the finish line.

Lauren Parker of Australia celebrates with Marci Nell and Sydnee Slack. Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN.

Lauren Parker getting set for the swim leg. Photo: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN.

A wave of age-group athletes awaits the start cannon to begin their journey. Photo: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN.

The sun rises over the swim course. Photo: Donald Miralle for IRONMAN.

“Super” Sam Holness, uses his autism as his super power. After training all year to compete in the event, he hopes his finish inspires others and he moves one step closer to his ultimate goal of being the first pro triathlete with autism. Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN.