Big Results from B78 Athletes at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships

The Ironman 70.3 World Championships delivered all the heat, grit, and glory we love about this sport, and the B78 crew showed up in full force this weekend. Between standout performances, family cheering squads, and a coach racing with her own athletes, it was the kind of event that reminds you why endurance sport feels like a second heartbeat.

Coach Kylie Acford: 4th in the World and the Fastest Run For Age Group Women

B78 coach Kylie Acford had a phenomenal day in the women’s 35–39 category. She swam smoothly through the pack (17th), rode tough and controlled (18th), and then cracked the race wide open with a blistering run. Kylie laid down the fastest run split for the age group women with a 1:21:58, storming her way to 4th in the world. A world-class performance built on consistency and smart racing.

Neighbour Dan: Rock-Solid in Men’s 40–44

Dan Barton, known affectionately as Neighbour Dan, put together a steady, dialled-in race from start to finish. He crossed the line in 5:22:39 in the men’s 40–44 age group. His cheering squad was out in full voice, including his kids and his mom, who brought enough enthusiasm to power a small city block.

Ian Henderson: Strong From Start to Finish

Just a few minutes back was Ian Henderson, who raced with great focus and grit. He finished in 5:28:19, also in the men’s 40–44 field. Ian has been stringing together consistent, smart training for months, and this race showed how powerful that kind of steady work can be.

B78 Alumni Ryan Lalonde: A Sharp Performance in Men’s 45–49

B78 alumni Ryan Lalonde had an excellent day of his own, clocking 5:12:13 in the men’s 45–49 division. Ryan brings that classic “head down, go to work” style of racing, and it was awesome to see it pay off on the world stage. His family was on-site as well, adding another wave of energy to the day.

Kylie Racing with Her Athletes

One of the coolest parts of the weekend was seeing the athlete-coach connection. Kylie coaches both Dan and Ian, and all three lined up on the same world championship stage. She ended up finishing in 5:08:16, leading the trio and showing exactly what it looks like when a coach trains and races with the same commitment she asks of her athletes.

Family, Friends, and the Spirit of the Day

Across the board, one of the constants was family support. Dan, Ian, and Ryan all had their kids and partners cheering them on, adding an extra spark to a day already full of adrenaline. Those moments matter just as much as any race metric.

Congratulations to Kylie, Dan, Ian, and Ryan.