THE Sun Smart Busselton Ironman had nearly 2000 competitors hit the course from around the world on Sunday.
The day started at 5.30am when the competitors swam 3.9 kilometres, they then went onto a 180km ride and a 42km run to finish.
It was an international affair for the mens side with no Australians making it to the podium.
Denis Chevrot from France took out first place with Sweden's Sweden’s Patrik Nilsson in second and German Per Bittner.
Chevrot led from start to finish for his first ever Ironman title and a time of 8.05.57.
Unfortunately Australia's Joe Gambles did not finish the race having to bow out in the bike leg with injury.
Third place winner Nilsson said it was a tough day.
“That was very hard, it was harder than Malaysia," he said.
"The bike here was flat, but the pace was higher. The field was so strong. Joe Gambles did an incredible job and held the pace for 170km, I am sad for him that he didn’t finish.”
In the womens competition New Zealand’s Britta Martin in a new race best of 8.56.33 bettering fellow Kiwi Gina Crawford’s previous record by three minutes.
Australia's Liz Blatchford was third with an impressive time of 9.02.10.
While it was a truly international podium, the most emotional moment of the day belonged to Australia's Jason Shortis.
It was his 83rd Ironman race as well as his last and it was one of the toughest right from the start of the day.
When he crossed the line he collapsed into the arms of his father George as they shared a tear together on what would have been the wedding anniversary for his father and late mother.
“I learnt a lesson today that I learnt in my first race, you have to finish for it to be an Ironman," he said.
Photos by Tameika Brumby, Laura Newey and Jemillah Bickerton.
