The top 10 Fastest Ironman Finishes of All Time (2024)

By Jason Bolton July 25, 2024 08:22

Photo by Getty Images for IRONMAN

The Ironman is among the most challenging endurance events on earth, pushing top athletes to their physical and mental limits. It involves a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike ride, and then immediately moves on to the marathon.

The sheer demand for speed, strength, and endurance by which such rapid Ironman performances are achieved is a fine demonstration of the physical capacities unleashed when triathlon's fastest compete.

Here is in-depth coverage of the top 10 fastest Ironman times ever, looking at some of thelegendary performancesthroughout history that have re-defined our ideas about human potential.

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The Fastest Ironman Times

1. Kristian Blummenfelt (Norway) - 7:21:12 Ironman Cozumel, 2021

In 2021, Kristian Blummenfelt of Norway recorded the swiftest Ironman time to date with a searingly quick performance of 7:21:12 at Ironman Cozumel.

Blummenfelt's splits were:

• Swim: 39:41
• Bike: 4:02:40
• Run: 2:35:24

Blummenfelt's swim time was more than 10 minutes quicker than the next-best competitor, and his bike and run splits were among the quickest ever in an Ironman event.

2. Jan Frodeno (Germany) - 7:27:53 Tri-Battle Royale, 2021

At the Tri-Battle Royale exhibition event in 2021, German triathlon legend Jan Frodeno posted a time of 7:27:53, which ranks as the second-fastest Ironman mark ever.

Frodeno's splits were:

• Swim: 46:10
• Bike: 4:04:09
• Run: 2:32:41

Though the Tri-Battle Royale was not an official Ironman race, Frodeno's time is one of the fastest recorded full-distance triathlon performances in history.

3. Jan Frodeno (Germany) - 7:35:39 Challenge Roth, 2016

Jan Frodeno - 7:35:39 at Challenge Roth, 2016 Number three in the collections of rankings.

His splits were:

• Swim: 47:33
• Bike: 4:08:07
• Run: 2:35:17

Challenge Roth has also been regarded as one of the fastest Ironman-distance courses in the world, and Frodeno's time here cements that status. The Brothers Collin Two years ago, Colin Napier, then of GB Autoserv, was on a blistering bike and running splits at the time of the trial course.

4. Magnus Ditlev (DEN) - 7:35:48Challenge Roth, 2022

Magnus Ditlev stunned the field at the 2022 Challenge Roth with an outstanding time of 7:35:48, making him one of the fastest iron distance athletes ever.

His splits were:

• Swim: 46:53
• Bike: 4:07:51
• Run: 2:36:12

His 4:07:51 bike split was especially notable, considering he held an average speed higher than 27 mph for the entire course.

5. Ruedi Wild (SUI) 7:36:35 - Ironman Cozumel, 2021

Switzerland's triathlete Ruedi Wild once again proved himself as the one to watch this season, finishing with a time of 7:36:35 at Ironman Cozumel 2021.

His splits were:

• Swim: 41:17
• Bike: 4:08:20
• Run: 2:41:44

Wild also had the second-fastest swim of the day and was up near the lead when she came into T1. While not as quick on the run as other top finishers, Wild's overall effort bears him out favorably, as he ranks number five.

6. Kristian Hogenhaug (Denmark) - 7:37:46 Amsterdam, 2012

At the 2021 Challenge Almere-Amsterdam event, Danish triathlete Kristian Hogenhaug set what is now the seventh fastest Ironman of all-time finishing time with his 7:37:46.

His splits were:

• Swim: 46:13
• Bike: 4:08:37
• Run: 2:38:13

Hogenhaug came into his own to win the 2021 World Triathlon Long Distance World Championships at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam, traditionally the Dutchman's best form of racing. Because of these advantageous circ*mstances and challenging rivals, the Dane was able to record one of the fastest Ironman distance times in history.

7. Matt Hanson (USA) - 07:39:25 Ironman Texas, 2018

American Matt Hanson 7:39:25 - 2018 Ironman Texas, the seventh fastest time ever in an Ironman.

His splits were:

• Swim: 48:16
• Bike: 4:10:14
• Run: 2:36:11

Hanson stated that his race at Ironman Texas stood out to him the most, citing an especially fast day across all three disciplines. His bike time (4:10.14) was third best of the day, and he clocked a 2:36.11 marathon, quicker than anyone else in the field.

8. Jesper Svensson (Sweden) - 7:39:26 Amsterdam, 2021

Swedish triathlete Jesper Svensson had an outstanding performance at the 2021 Challenge Almere-Amsterdam and crossed the finish line in a time of 7:39:26.

His splits were:

• Swim: 46:16
• Bike: 4:08:37
• Run: 2:39:49

. Hauss was especially fast on the bike, hammering out a sub 4:16 effort to complete his day in Kona with an average speed of over 27 mph for those following through live updates.

9. Ivan Tutukin (Russia) - 7:39:57 Ironman Texas, 2018

Ivan Tutukin, who clocked a time of 7:39:57 during the same event in Texas.

His splits were:

• Swim: 47:34
• Bike: 4:10:14
• Run: 2:37:24

Tutukin's time would have been just 32 seconds slower than Matt Hanson's, who was in seventh place at the same event. The big eye-opener was the bike leg, which took 4:10:14, equating to an average speed over the full distance in excess of 27 mph (43 kph).

10. Tim Don (GBR) - 7:40:23 - Ironman Brazil, 2017

British triathlete Tim Don set the world ablaze with his finish at Ironman Brazil, clocking in at 7 hours, 40 minutes, and 23 seconds. This performance etched his name in the history books and pushed the boundaries of the sport.

His splits were:

• Swim: 47:07
• Bike: 4:10:14
• Run: 2:38:08

Having finished 149th in the swim, Don's time was only 26 seconds behind Ivan Tutukin, who took ninth place as everything from positions one to ten looks very strong and tight at Ironman distance. Of particular note, the Brit averaged over 27 mph (43 kph) for his time split on the bike leg to record a time of 4:10:14.

Although the idea of 'Ironman world records' is somewhat controversial in triathlon circles, there's no doubt it takes exceptional athleticism to go sub-8 hours for men and sub-9 hours for women. The top ten above represent landmark performances and have catapulted the sport to new heights of performance for future generations.

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