Patrick Lange of Germany celebrates afer winning the IRONMAN World Championship (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

(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).

(C) Patrick Lange of Germany celebrates afer winning the IRONMAN World Championship along with (L) David McNamee of Great Britain who finished third and (R) Lionel Sanders of Canada who finished second. (Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

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.

Daniela Ryf of Switzerland celebrates after winning the IRONMAN World Championship. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

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.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM: IRONMAN World Champion professional men were treated to a stunning start in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i as they waited to begin their 2.4 mile swim. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

FIRST SIGHT: Professional male swimmers exit the water at Kailua-Kona’s iconic Dig Me Beach in front of thousands of spectators during the IRONMAN World Championship on October 14, 2017. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

MAN & THE MACHINE: Athletes enter transition, on Kailua-Kona Pier – the most expensive pier in the world per square foot for one day during the 2017 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

Benjamin Pernet of France competes on the bike during the IRONMAN World Championship on October 14, 2017 in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

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.