Lionel Sanders sets Ironman world record capped off with 2:42 marathon

Lionel Sanders had the race of his life today at Ironman Arizona, overcoming a significant deficit after the swim to overtake an incredibly stacked field and not only win the race, but smash the standing Ironman-branded world record in the process. His remarkable performance of 7:44:29 broke down into a 53:45 swim, 4:04:38 bike and 2:42:31 run.

Sunday’s world record is for races under the “Ironman” brand and do not include identical distance races like Challenge Roth, where a faster time has been set in the past. The record for covering the 140.9-mile (226.7K) distance is 7:35:39 by Jan Frodeno in 2016.

RELATED: Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen runs 2:41 in debut marathon.

Sanders started the day off with a seven-minute deficit going into T1, a large gap but not usual for the 28-year-old (also an improvement on his eight-minute deficit last year, when he took his first Ironman Arizona title). It was in the second half the bike that the “Green Flash” made up serious ground on the leaders, and eventually slid himself into second place behind Australian Cameron Wurf. After the first mile of the run, Sanders had cemented his lead and did what he does best — deliver a crushing marathon time.

Lionel Sanders set Ironman world record at #IMAZ pic.twitter.com/whCohyW9ql

— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) November 20, 2016

Today’s race was exceptional for Canadian long distance athletes as Brent McMahon delivered another impressive performance, working his way through the field as well on the bike and run and coming in second behind Sanders. McMahon’s remarkable 2:40:17 marathon was the fastest of the day. He posted a time of 7:50:15. TJ Tollakson came in third in 8:02:30.

Brent McMahon congrats fellow Canadian Lionel Sanders on Ironman world record at #IMAZ pic.twitter.com/KD9UFolNU8

— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) November 20, 2016

Sanders’ history-making performance solidifies his position has one of the most dominant men in the sport currently. This was the end of year performance he was hoping for after under performing in Kona and at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in September.

RELATED: VIDEO: World triathlon series finale ends in a wild and dramatic finish.

Pan Am Games bronze medallist Malindi Elmore made her Ironman debut on Sunday and broke the illustrious nine-hour barrier. The former Canadian track star has transitioned to triathlon following her running career that was highlighted by qualifying for the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 1,500m as well as global medals including her Pan Am Games run and a bronze at the 2003 World University Games. On Sunday, Elmore finished third overall in 8:57:22 including a 3:00:52 marathon.

Stunning IRONMAN debut by @MalindiElmore sub-9! pic.twitter.com/2bkH9kKdNA

— witsup.com (@witsupcom) November 20, 2016

This story originally appeared in Triathlon Magazine Canada.