(BIVN) – Patrick Lange of Germany crossed the finished line on Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona this afternoon to become the 2017 IRONMAN World Champion.

Lange set a course record of 8:01.39 beating Craig Alexander’s 2011 record of 8:03.56. “Crowie believed in me when we raced 70.3 Subic Bay, and he said ‘you’re going to win it’ and I said ‘No, I don’t think so.’ Honestly, I can’t believe it,” Lange was quoted after the race.

Lionel Sanders of Canada finished second (8:04.07) followed by third place David McNamee of Great Britain (8:07.11).

The Top 10 Pro Men:

01 (8:01:40) Patrick Lange

02 (8:04:07) Lionel Sanders

03 (8:07:11) David McNamee

04 (8:09:59) Sebastian Kienle

05 (8:11:24) James Cunnama

06 (8:13:06) Terenzo Bozzone

07 (8:14:43) Andy Potts

08 (8:18:21) Patrik Nilsson

09 (8:19:26) Ben Hoffman

10 (8:22:24) Boris Stein

Daniela Ryf of Switzerland won her third IRONMAN women’s title in 8:50.47.

The Top 10 Pro Women:

01 (8:50:47) Daniela Ryf

02 (8:59:38) Lucy Charles

03 (9:01:38) Sarah Crowley

04 (9:02:29) Heather Jackson

05 (9:04:40) Kaisa Sali

06 (9:16:00) Susie Cheetham

07 (9:19:49) Carrie Lester

08 (9:20:31) Liz Lyles

09 (9:20:58) Annabel Luxford

10 (9:21:08) Jocelyn McCauley

IRONMAN has been supplying a steady stream of imagery, capturing the grueling 2.4 mile ocean swim, 112-mile bike ride along the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway from Kailua-Kona to the turnaround in Hawi, and 26.2-mile run beginning and ending on Ali’i Drive.

According to race organizers and the Wanda Sports Holdings company:

Since its inception in 1978 on the island of Oahu, the IRONMAN World Championship has etched its name in history through stellar performances, inspirationalparticipants and emotional memories. In 1981, the race moved from the tranquil shores of Waikiki to the barren lava fields of Kona on the Island of Hawai`i where it continues to take place to this day. The race now sees over 2,400 athletes embark on a 140.6-mile journey that presents the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit to earn the title of IRONMAN World Champion. The most iconic one-day sporting event in the world is the culmination of 40 global IRONMAN events with athletes around the world striving for one of the coveted qualifying slots.

Live race coverage of the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship can be viewed on www.ironman.com.