30 Top Photos From 2012

Former 70.3 world champion Michael Raelert descending one of the many hills in Lake Mead National Park at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Las Vegas.

Rasmus Henning coming into transition at the 2012 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

Dirk Bockel at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

Jesse Thomas repeats as the Wildflower Long Course Champion.

Heather Jackson earns a breakthrough win at the 2012 Wildflower Long Course Triathlon.

Manny Huerta finishes ninth in San Diego, the final position for an automatic selection to the Olympic team.

Blue skies and blue water await the age group athletes at the 2012 Challenge Copenhagen.

An age group athlete at the 2012 Challenge Copenhagen.

Manny Huerta at the 2012 San Diego ITU race.

Sarah Haskins wins another equalizer battle at the 2012 Life Time Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis, just seconds ahead of male winner Hunter Kemper.

Gwen Jorgensen takes part in a pre-race media event at the 2012 London Olympics.

American Laura Bennett on the London Olympic bike course.

The lead pack of the women's Olympic triathlon.

The final steps of the 2012 Olympic women's triathlon where Nicola Spirig outlasted Lisa Norden by inches for the Gold Medal.

Alistair Brownlee, Javier Gomez and Jonny Brownlee pull away from the rest of the field at the 2012 London Olympics.

Gold medalist Alistair Brownlee, silver medalist Javier Gomez and bronze medalist Jonny Brownlee pose for the media after receiving their medals in London.

Lisa Norden on her way to winning the 2012 Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship and taking home $151,500.

Javier Gomez on his way to winning the 2012 Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship and taking home $151,500.

American Andy Potts once again leads the pack out of the water at the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona.

Angela Naeth survived a hard crash and got up to finish 17th at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in September.

One of the most consistent performers for the last several years, Andreas Raelert finishes second and collapses at the 2012 Ironman World Championship.

Three-time Ironman world champoin Craig Alexander on the Queen K highway at the 2012 Ironman World Championship.

Faris Al-Sultan ran his way into fifth place at the 2012 Ironman World Championship.

Marino Vanhoenacker held the top spot throughout much of the 112-mile bike leg in Kona.

After finishing second in 2011, Aussie Pete Jacobs wins the 2012 Ironman World Championship.

Andy Potts finishes as the top American the 2012 Ironman World Championship.

Winner Pete Jacobs returns to the finish line to greet fans and welcome in the final finishers the 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona.

Germany's Nils Frommold wins at his Ironman debut.

Age group athlete Mark Holowesko at the 2012 UWC Bahamas Triathlon.

Good friends Linsey Corbin and Meredith Kessler take in their first and second place finishes, respectively, at the 2012 Ironman Arizona triathlon.