Julie Dunkle of Encinitas captured the Ironman World Championship triathlon title in the women’s 55-59 age-group in St. George, Utah, on Saturday, May 7.

The amateur athlete’s accomplishment was made at the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare Ironman World Championship, presented by Utah Sports Commission. The event, which is historically held in Hawaii, came to St. George, Utah, for the 2021 edition after a more than two-year wait due to COVID-19, and will return to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, this October for the 2022 edition.

Ranging in age from 18-79, more than 2,800 athletes toed the start line representing more than 80 countries, regions and territories to compete in the world-renowned event.

Dunkle, 55, completed the event in 11:46:26 (swim: 57:15; bike: 6:01:57; run: 4:37:46), beating out the top athletes in their age group. The race encompassed a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim in the ROKA Swim Course that took place at the Sand Hollow State Park Reservoir in Hurricane, Utah, followed by the 112-mile (180.2 km) FulGaz Bike Course that led athletes through stunning desert landscapes with 7,374 feet of elevation gain and an unforgettable climb through the Snow Canyon State Park at the 100-mile mark. The 26.2-mile (42.2 km) HOKA Run Course took athletes on two loops through St. George with 1,413 feet (431 meters) of climbing before culminating in an unforgettable finish line experience in the heart of downtown St. George.

Full results for the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare Ironman World Championship can be found at www.ironman.com/im-world-championship-2021-results.

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