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It's no secret that the Ironman World Championship is the pinnacle of the triathlon world. But for every, there are countless other moments that never make it to the broadcast (either the live-stream online or NBC's highlights show in November). So consider this a collection of the OTHER best moments. Mirinda Carfrae's marathon run was, once again, jaw-droppingly awesome, but did you see the 9th-place finisher congratulating her over IVs? Andy Potts' fourth-place finish was awesome, but more awesome than some guy trying to pass him a Heineken?
Here are the 16 17 best moments from Kona that you might have missed.
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1. Andy Potts and Jan Frodeno neck-to-neck and stroke-for-stroke at the end of the swim.
Swim finish of #IMKona. Can't be closer than this. @Andy_Potts and @janfrodeno stroke to stroke. I call it a tie. http://t.co/XukH8xJXs9
— Alex Paul (@AlexPaul) October 13, 2014
2. Ben Hoffman and Jan Frodeno getting greeted at the finish line.
The emotion of greeting a loved one at the #IMKona finish line. More images: http://t.co/U06Xd0eVQu pic.twitter.com/E3wXJT3SWv
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) October 14, 2014
3. Jan Frodeno's disappearing tri kit.
.@janfrodeno clearly not amused by the Kona heat. His tri top keeps getting smaller and smaller pic.twitter.com/Lu8fAFx8Pq
— Julia Polloreno (@JuliaPolloreno) October 11, 2014
4. This guy (his brother?) who tried to hand Andy Potts a beer at Mile 1.5 on the run.
5. American Matt Russell of the Timex Team finishing with the Blazeman Roll.
@MattRussellTri Saw this awesome pic of your Blazeman Roll across the Kona finish line. Thought I'd share. pic.twitter.com/sIU0XNuAom
— Mike Horn (@mfhornjr) October 16, 2013
6. The mustache, speedo, backwards mesh hat ... really just everything going on here with Australian Tim Reed.
.@Timboreed ran by looking fashionably stellar, but told me "you should "think twice about doing this race" pic.twitter.com/04RAYUAbYh
— Jesse Thomas (@jessemthomas) October 11, 2014
7. The pure, absolute enthusiasm and positive energy that coach Siri Lindley shouts at Mary Beth Ellis.
LoadingHere's @sirilindley coaching current third place Mary Beth Ellis early on the run course
8. Sebi the Machine.
Don't try this at home. @SebastianKienle gets as aero as possible while riding his way to the #IMKona victory. pic.twitter.com/Xb8TRie6K5
— Triathlete Magazine (@TriathleteMag) October 13, 2014
9. Everything about this. All of this, every last one.
Loading#regram my pic for @rokasports of Tina Ament, the first American Blind woman to finish #IMKona #triathlon #inspiration #noexcuses
Champion racer and hand cyclist @lxznr crosses the finish line @ironmantri @SInow @BradSmithSI #imkona #inspiration pic.twitter.com/NxuCm69CWq
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutz) October 13, 2014
@CAFoundation: Wheelchair Champion & crowd favorite @RickyJames824 finishes his 2nd #IMKona pic.twitter.com/TZrv5WZMpA
— CAF (@CAFoundation) October 12, 2014
7:21pm elmar sprink finishes. Heart transplant recipient. pic.twitter.com/YXNnwUhIgO
— Andrew Messick @ WTC (@CEOIronman) October 12, 2014
Respect @IronmanTri #IMKona pic.twitter.com/2XelXTCeau
— Callum Millward (@callummillward) October 12, 2014
10. Pro triathletes, supporting other pro triathletes.
True support for @Mirindacarfrae from her close friend @juliedibens. This was mile 23 and they knew it was over. pic.twitter.com/dTb2LticcD
— Aaron Hersh (@TriathleteTech) October 13, 2014
11. The sign of utter exhaustion.
LoadingThis race means giving it your 100% all, and then some. Congrats to Jodie swallow for a badass race performance that earned her a solid 4th place woman overall. And don't worry, Jodie was looking great by the time she got to the post-race presser :) #IMKona #IMWC
12. Battle each for almost nine hours in brutal heat and unforgiving wind ... and then share a congratulatory chat in the medical tent.
13. Sebastian Kienle's post-race victory speech.
"Never judge your life by one bad day, judge it by the best day!!"quote @SebastianKienle as he became WINNER! #IMKona pic.twitter.com/A4H7LCTEWR
— Orca (@orca_triathlon) October 12, 2014
14. Billy Kenoi, the Mayor of Kona, finishing his Ironman.
15. The fact that this maniac volunteer was screaming for Mirinda Carfrae in 2013 (via Firstoffhtebike.com) ...
... and was back out there again in 2014, cheering for Sebastian Kienle.
Congrats 2014 @IronmanTri Champ @SebastianKienle and thanks to the photobomber You're awesome! @SInow @BradSmithSI pic.twitter.com/KkS9KqjTT6
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutz) October 13, 2014
16. The men's and women's podium comes back out to greet the final finishers before midnight.
11:52 finish line. The greatest athletes in our sport pic.twitter.com/HjwFA3IBCC
— Andrew Messick @ WTC (@CEOIronman) October 12, 2014
17. And finally, the absolute best moment from Kona.
First runner through followed by this guy and his dog! #IMKONA14 #inkona pic.twitter.com/XCuR10NDyM
— Mallory Burda (@malburd) October 11, 2014