Chris Lieto is a professional triathlete

Triathlon

A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. While many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances...

 and the winner of the 2006 Ironman

Ironman Triathlon

An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation consisting of a swim, a bike and a marathon run, raced in that order and without a break...

 Japan, 2005 Ironman Canada, and 2002 Ironman Wisconsin triathlons.

Athletic career

Lieto grew up in Danville, California and later began his athletic career playing collegiate water polo at Long Beach State University. In 1997, he saw the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon World Championship on television and decided to participate in his first triathlon ever, which he won. Only three years later he became a professional triathlete. Just another three years after that, in 2003, he went on to place 13th at that same championship he saw on television which sparked his interest in the sport.

After a disappointing race career in 2005, Lieto chose to return to work as a mortgage broker while still continuing to train. Lieto said that returning to work "...helped me balance the time and focus I put into triathlon. I still focus on training, but without the endless thinking about the next race or the next training day. It allows me to be a little more relaxed in my preparation for a race." Since 2003, Lieto has steadily worked up his finishing place at the Ironman World Championship

Ironman World Championship

The Ironman World Championship has been held annually in Hawaii since 1978, with an additional race in 1982. It is owned and organised by the World Triathlon Corporation and is currently sponsored by Ford...

: 13th in 2003, 18th in 2005, 9th in 2006, 6th in 2007, 18th in 2008 and 2nd overall in 2009. He is the current bike course record holder for the 2005 Ironman Canada, with a time of 4:25:26. K-Swiss

K-Swiss

K-Swiss, Inc. is an American footwear company based in Westlake Village, California. The company designs, develops, and markets a range of athletic shoes under the K-Swiss brand.- History :...

 is Lieto's primary sponsor.

Lieto currently resides in California with his wife Karis and son Kaiden.

Results

2009 Results

2nd Ironman World Championships, Kona Hawaii

2nd Nautica Malibu Triathlon Classic

1st San Jose International Pro Challenge (course record)

2nd Ironman Boise 70.3 (new bike course record)

2nd Ironman Hawaii Honu 70.3 new bike course record

2nd UVAS Triathlon

7th Wildflower 1/2 Ironman

3rd Miami International Triathlon New Bike Course record

2008 Results

3rd Miami International Triathlon (bike course record)

1st Nautica South Beach (course record)

3rd Wildflower 1/2 Ironman (new bike course record)

1st Columbia Triathlon (course record)

1st San Jose International (course record)

2nd Ironman 70.3 Boise (bike course record)

23rd Ironman World Championships Hawaii

2nd Ironman Arizona

Additional Results

1st Ironman Japan 2006 (new bike course record)

1st Ironman Canada 2005 (new bike course record)

1st Ironman Wisconsin 2002

1st Ironman 70.3 Vineman 2002

1st Nautica Malibu Triathlon 2003

1st San Jose International 2007

2nd Ironman USA Lake Placid 2003

2nd Ironman Malaysia 2006 (new bike course record)

2nd Ironman 70.3 Florida 2004

6th Ironman World Championship 2007

8th Ironman World Championship 70.3 2006 (2nd American)

9th Ironman World Championship 2006, Kona Hawaii (1st American)

13th Ironman World Championship 2003

18th Ironman World Championship 2005

US National Ironman Champion 2003

Ranked 5th in the World 2003 by Inside Triathlon

External links

• Official Website