{"id":19057,"date":"2022-11-09T16:08:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T15:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.220triathlon.com\/?p=117941"},"modified":"2022-11-10T16:01:18","modified_gmt":"2022-11-10T15:01:18","slug":"what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/rss_feed\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the fastest times in triathlon?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Brittany Bevis\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 09 November 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

In a sport like triathlon, determining a \u2018world record\u2019 can be tricky. Because triathlon is an outdoor sport that takes place in different locations with varying climates, topography, and weather conditions, it\u2019s hard to compare one race to another. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Also, most triathlons don\u2019t have official certified course distances, which makes determining a \u2018world\u2019s best\u2019 time almost impossible.<\/p>\n

However, if we just look at the \u2018big name\u2019 races that dominate the global sporting calendar \u2013 such as Ironman, Challenge Roth, World Champs \u2013 we can pick out the speediest times with (relative) ease. So which male and female triathletes currently hold the world\u2019s fastest triathlon times across long distance, Ironman, 70.3 and World Triathlon? Let\u2019s find out\u2026<\/p>\n

Long-distance triathlon world records<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Chrissie Wellington sets the fastest women\u2019s long-distance time of 8:18:13 at Challenge Roth in 2011. (Credit: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty Images for Challenge Roth)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

MEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Jan Frodeno, 2016 Challenge Roth, 7:35:39<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Chrissie Wellington<\/strong><\/a>, 2011 Challenge Roth, 8:18:13<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Challenge Roth is a fast course that\u2019s produced many record times over the years. In 2022, Magnus Ditlev<\/strong><\/a> won the race in 7:35:48<\/a><\/strong>, just nine seconds slower than Jan Frodeno<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s record time. Ditlev also claimed a new bike course record of 4:01:56.<\/p>\n

In this category, we also have to consider the Tri Battle Royale<\/strong><\/a>, a head-to-head competition between Frodeno and Lionel Sanders<\/strong><\/a>, where the former improved on his Roth time by a few minutes with a 7:27:53.<\/p>\n

However, there were special circumstances in this race, such as velodrome-style turns on the bike course and the athletes being handed bottles from motorbikes.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also the Sub7\/Sub8 Challenge<\/strong><\/a> that allowed drafting, pacers, and non-traditional equipment. As a result, this effort wasn\u2019t sanctioned nor recognized by a governing body.<\/p>\n

However, Kristian Blummenfelt<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s time of 6:44:25 and Kat Matthews<\/strong><\/a>\u2019 time of 7:31:54<\/strong><\/a> showed just how fast an athlete can cover 140.6 miles.<\/p>\n

Ironman world records<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Kristian Blummenfelt wins Ironman Cozumel on debut and clocks the fastest official full Ironman time ever, despite a current-assisted swim<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

MEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Kristian Blummenfelt, 2021 Ironman Cozumel, 7:21:12<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Featuring a current-assisted swim, IM Cozumel was the site of Blummenfelt\u2019s speedy time with a 39:41 swim, 4:02:40 bike, and 2:35:24 run. Another fast time in a race without a current-assisted swim was set by Tim Don<\/strong><\/a> at 2017 Ironman Brazil with 7:40:23.<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Laura Philipp<\/strong><\/a>, 2022 Ironman Hamburg, 8:18:20<\/p>\n

Philipp\u2019s time at IM Hamburg<\/strong><\/a> was impressive with a 54:38 swim, 4:31:14 bike, and 2:45:38 run. Also notable, she came within 7 seconds of Chrissie Wellington\u2019s full-distance record at Roth. Prior to Philipp, Sara Svensk held this record with 8:22:41 at 2021 IM Cozumel.<\/p>\n

Ironman World Championship Kona records\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Gustav Iden was the first of four men to break the 2019 course record at the 2022 Ironman World Champs in Kona, Hawaii. (Credit: Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images for Ironman)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

MEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Gustav Iden<\/strong><\/a>, 2022, 7:40:24<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Daniela Ryf<\/strong><\/a>, 2018, 8:26:18<\/p>\n

The 2022 race on the Big Island<\/strong><\/a> saw Frodeno\u2019s 2019 men\u2019s course record of 7:51:13<\/strong><\/a> fall to not one, but four, men and they were all Kona rookies: Gustav Iden (7:40:24), Sam Laidlow<\/strong><\/a> (7:42:24), Kristian Blummenfelt (7:43:23), and Max Neumann (7:44:44).<\/p>\n

Other Kona records achieved this year include the new men\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0bike course record<\/strong> of Sam Laidlow (4:04:36) and Gustav Iden\u2019s men\u2019s\u00a0run course record<\/strong> (2:36:15).<\/p>\n

Jan Sibbersen holds the men\u2019s swim course record<\/strong> with his 46:29 from 2018.<\/p>\n

Daniela Ryf still holds the women\u2019s course record from 2018<\/strong><\/a>, having bested her own record from 2016 by 20 minutes.<\/p>\n

The women\u2019s swim course record<\/strong> is held by Lucy Charles-Barclay (48:14) set in 2018; Ryf holds the women\u2019s bike course record<\/strong> with a 4:26:07, also set in 2018; while the women\u2019s run course record<\/strong> still sits with Mirinda Carfrae from 2014.<\/p>\n

Ryf also claimed a win at the postponed 2021 Ironman World Championship<\/strong><\/a>, which was moved to St. George, Utah, with a time of 8:34:59.\u00a0Great Britain\u2019s Kat Matthews was second with 8:43:49. On the men\u2019s side, Kristian Blummenfelt won with a 7:49:16 and Lionel Sanders was second with 7:54:03.<\/p>\n

British records over Ironman or long distance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Alistair Brownlee runs home at the 2022 Ironman Kalmar, Sweden, in 7:38:47 to become Great Britain\u2019s fastest-ever Ironman male triathlete. (Credit: Nigel Roddis\/Getty Images for Ironman)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

MEN\u2019S<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Alistair Brownlee<\/strong><\/a>, 2022 Ironman Sweden, 7:38:47<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Chrissie Wellington, 2011 Challenge Roth, 8:18:13<\/p>\n

One of Great Britain\u2019s most celebrated triathletes, Alistair Brownlee, set a new full distance record for his homeland at Ionman Sweden in 2022.<\/p>\n

FASTEST GB MEN IN KONA<\/strong> \u2013 Joe Skipper<\/strong><\/a>, 2022, 7:54:05; David McNamee<\/strong><\/a>, 2018, 8:01:09<\/p>\n

FASTEST GB WOMEN IN KONA<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0Lucy Charles Barclay<\/strong><\/a>, 2018, 8:36:34; Chrissie Wellington, 2009, 8:54:02<\/p>\n

Half Ironman\/70.3 world records<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Holly Lawrence\u2019s time of 3:52:51 at the 2019 Ironman 70.3 Bahrain was not officially recognised by Ironman as the \u2018fastest-ever\u2019. (Credit: Alex Caparros\/Getty Images for Ironman)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

MEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Marten Van Riel<\/strong><\/a>, 2022 IM 70.3 Dubai, 3:26:06<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Laura Philipp, 2022 IM 70.3 Dubai, 3:53:03<\/p>\n

Marten Van Riel and Laura Philipp set new 70.3 records in Dubai this year. But what about Kristian Blummenfelt\u2019s time of 3:25:21 and Holly Lawrence<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s time of 3:52:51 at Bahrain 70.3 in 2019?<\/p>\n

Since the bike course in Bahrain was known to be short (approximately 53.9 miles instead of the standard 56 miles) Ironman recognises Van Riel and Philipp as having the fastest known times for the 70.3 distance.<\/p>\n

Ironman \u00a070.3 World Championship records<\/strong><\/h2>\n

MEN\u2019S<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Michael Raelert, 2009 Clearwater, FL., 3:34:04<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S<\/strong> \u2013 Julie Dibens, 2009 Clearwater, FL., 3:59:33<\/p>\n

At the 2009 70.3 World Championship, Michael Raelert\u2019s time of 3:34:04 became a new 70.3 record, and Dibens became the first woman to break the 4hr barrier.<\/p>\n

World Triathlon Olympic\/standard fastest times<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Flora Duffy wins the 2020 Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, and with it posts the fastest women\u2019s triathlon Olympic Games time to date. (Credit: Diego Souto\/Quality Sport Images\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Olympic and sprint distances are challenging, because there are both drafting and non-drafting races, and the actual distance among events can vary. Still, there are a few contenders for best-known times in these categories.<\/p>\n

MEN <\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex Yee<\/strong><\/a>, WTC Series Cagliari, 1:40:19<\/strong><\/a> (*38km bike)\nAlistair Brownlee, 2009 ITU WCS London, 1:41:50<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Fastest at the Olympics: Alistair Brownlee, 2016 Rio, 1:45:01<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

WOMEN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma Snowsill, 2010 ITU World Champsionship Final, 1:49:43<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Fastest at the Olympics: Flora Duffy<\/strong><\/a>, 2020 Tokyo, 1:55:36<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

World Triathlon sprint fastest times\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Vincent Luis wins the sprint-distance 2020 World Triathlon Champs in Hamburg in a blistering time of 49:13. (Credit: World Triathlon)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

MEN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vincent Luis<\/strong><\/a>, 2020 WTCS Hamburg, 49:13<\/strong><\/a> (*18.6km bike)Mario Mola<\/strong><\/a>, 2014 ITU WT London, 49:46<\/strong><\/a> (*19.1km bike)\nAlistair Brownlee, 2015 ITU WT London, 50:39<\/strong><\/a> (*19.1km bike)<\/p>\n

WOMEN<\/strong><\/p>\n

Georgia Taylor-Brown<\/strong><\/a>, 2020 WTCS Hamburg, 54:16<\/strong><\/a> (*18.6km bike)\nGwen Jorgensen, 2014 ITU WT London, 54:44<\/strong><\/a> (*19.1km bike)\nFlora Duffy, 2021 WTCS Abu Dhabi, 55:41<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Top image credit:<\/strong> Credit: Mana Group\/Pho3nix Foundation<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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By Brittany Bevis Published: Wednesday, 09 November 2022 at 12:00 am In a sport like triathlon, determining a \u2018world record\u2019 can be tricky. Because triathlon is an outdoor sport that takes place in different locations with varying climates, topography, and weather conditions, it\u2019s hard to compare one race to another. Also, most triathlons don\u2019t have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":19058,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon.jpg",1600,1066,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon-1024x682.jpg",800,533,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon-1536x1023.jpg",1536,1023,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/47\/2022\/11\/what-are-the-fastest-times-in-triathlon.jpg",1600,1066,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Brittany Bevis Published: Wednesday, 09 November 2022 at 12:00 am In a sport like triathlon, determining a \u2018world record\u2019 can be tricky. Because triathlon is an outdoor sport that takes place in different locations with varying climates, topography, and weather conditions, it\u2019s hard to compare one race to another. Also, most triathlons don\u2019t have…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/19057"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}