Chris Lieto

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: 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 is Lieto's primary sponsor.

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

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