Lange wins 3rd Hawaiian Ironman title with record time

Germany's Patrick Lange won the Hawaiian Ironman on Saturday in a record time, reported dpa.

This marks his third victory at the Ironman World Championship, following his wins in 2017 and 2018.

After completing a gruelling 3.86 kilometres of swimming and 180.2 kilometres of cycling, Lange excelled in his preferred discipline, the 42.2-kilometre run.

Lange won the Ironman World Championship in a new course record time of 7 hours, 35 minutes and 53 seconds.

"I still can't believe it," he said. "It will take a few weeks for it to sink in: Today was a perfect day for me," Lange said in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF.

He dedicated his victory to his mother, who passed away four years ago. "When she was in the hospice and I saw her for the last time, she said I should give my all for her and win again.

"I've done that now," he said with tears in his eyes.

With this latest win, Lange equalled the record for Hawaii victories set by fellow German Jan Frodeno, who won in 2015, 2016 and 2019, the latter year when Lange had to withdraw due to serious health issues.

Overall, Lange's victory marks the 11th triumph for German men in the iconic triathlon event.