Sweden's Patrik Nilsson sets course record at Ironman Copenhagen

Patrik Nilsson of Sweden set a new course record at Northern Europe's largest Ironman triathlon race held here on Sunday.

The Swede crossed the finish line in 7 hours 49 minutes and 18 seconds in the men's competition of Ironman Copenhagen, shattering the old record of 8 hours 3 minutes and 39 seconds set by Denmark's Henrik Hyldelund in 2014.

The course, which consists of a 3.8-kilometer swimming, a 180-kilometer biking and a 42.2-kilometer marathon run, passes many historic landmarks in Denmark's capital city of Copenhagen, such as the world-famous Opera House, the Little Mermaid statue and the Amalienborg Palace.

British triathlete Will Clarke took silver in 7 hours 59 minutes and 31 seconds, and Fabio Varvalho of Brazil came in third in 8:07:10.

Denmark made a clean sweep of women's podium, with Katrine Meldgaard winning the gold in 9:37:53. Laerke Lilleoere finished second in 9:42:00, and Kristine Arnborg ended third with a time of 9:46:55.

Ironman Copenhagen offers 40 qualifying slots for the 2016 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Some 2,800 athletes from 48 countries and regions participated in this year's event, attracting about 200,000 spectators along the route. Endit