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Javier Gomez wins Ironman 70.3 World Championship; American Ben Kanute nearly goes wire-to-wire [photos]

America's Ben Kanute, left, and Spain's Javier Gomez celebrate after finishing second and first, respectively, during the Icy Hot Ironman 70.3 World Championship on Sunday, Sept. 10, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
America's Ben Kanute, left, and Spain's Javier Gomez celebrate after finishing second and first, respectively, during the Icy Hot Ironman 70.3 World Championship on Sunday, Sept. 10, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Mark Pace 6 min read


View Our Ironman 2017 Coverage

Spaniard Javier Gomez added to an already stellar career with a world title at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, passing American Ben Kanute approximately eight miles into the final leg of the race.

The win added to Gomez’s career achievements as the most decorated International Triathlon Union racer in history. He holds a record five ITU world titles and 13 ITU World Triathlon Series wins. He also was the 2014 Ironman 70.3 World Champion and a 2012 Olympic silver medalist.

“It was a really tough race,” Gomez said. “Ben did a really amazing bike [leg], so I had to take some risks on the first lap [of the run]. I went faster than I should have, probably, but I wanted to catch him. Then I just tried to survive.”

Kanute had one of the best showings for an American in an Ironman world championship event this decade. While the U.S. has dominated many age-group races, no American professional has won on the world championship level since Andy Potts at the 2007 Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Few have come close since Potts’ win a decade ago, but Kanute jumped in the Tennessee River with a mindset to gain a lead and hold off the field for an American win.