History was made at the 2024 Ultraman World Championships not once, not twice, but three times after an epic showpiece event on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Pro triathlon star Jen Annett became the iconic race’s first ever female overall winner and she did so in a record time, with Michelle Vesterby making it the first ever female 1-2.
The pair came out on top after three days of gripping action, which saw them travel 320 miles in what is known as ‘The Greatest Race In The World’.
Annett claims record-breaking victory
Ultraman offers an incredible challenge on each of the three days, with the first throwing a 6.2-mile swim followed by a 90-mile bike at the athletes. It was Danish star Vesterby who came out of the initial skirmish in the lead, taking a lead of just over 17 minutes into day two with Canada’s Annett next in the standings.
Day two brought another gruelling cycling test with a 171.4-mile leg, and this time it was Jen who held sway as she cut six minutes out of Vesterby’s lead to put herself in position to challenge for the win on day three. And challenge would be an understatement.
The final test of all was just the small manner of a double marathon – 52.4 miles to the finish line, and it was Jen who dominated with a sensational time of 6: 46: 57 while Michelle clocked 7: 19: 09. That was enough to give Annett the overall victory, and in a record time too (23: 04: 56). The final place on the podium went to Juan Bautista Castilla Arroyo.
You can watch a full post-race interview by the ever excellent Bob Babbitt with Jen Annett by clicking on the video embed at the foot of this page.
Ultraman World Championship Results
Friday November 29 – Sunday December 1, 2024
- 1. Jen Annett (CAN) – 23: 04: 56
- 2. Michelle Vesterby (DEN) – 23: 25: 47
- 3. Juan Bautista Castilla Arroyo (ESP) – 25: 06: 16
Written by
Graham Shaw
Graham has been involved with TRI247 & RUN247 since the summer of 2021. Since then he has provided strategic direction for all news and is passionate about the growth of triathlon as a fan sport.
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