Very few triathletes passed by Javier Gomez late in the run are able to rally and overtake the Spanish star.
So Cameron Wurf's effort late in the Hawaiian Ironman marathon showed how much his run has improved in the past 12 months.
The former Olympic rower and pro cyclist finished ninth - the first Australian men's top-10 finisher at Kona since 2014.
Wurf broke the bike course record he set last year by three minutes and led early in the marathon. He also led last year but faded to 17th.
While he could not hold off German champion Patrick Lange and the other frontrunners, Wurf's finish of eight hours 10 minutes 32 seconds featured a much-improved 3:06 marathon split.
Wurf had mixed feelings about his race - he's impatient to become a title contender - but agreed that holding off Gomez in the Spaniard's Kona debut was a feather in his cap.
"It shows there's something there. It would be nice if it was Lange," he said.
Wurf was pleased to run better this year but was also frustrated and physically distressed at the finish.
"I guess I did what was expected of me and I didn't quite get the result I dreamed of," he said.
"But it was probably the result I deserved - it's just where I'm at.
"It's a world championship - you come to try to win."
Wurf did six Ironman-distance triathlons this year - most competitors only race in one or two - as he learns how to run well on tired legs.
Patrick Lange of Germany passes Cameron Wurf of Australia on the run Source: Getty
"It's simple - I just have to improve my running," he said.
"Man, we're 18 months into this ... it takes time, it's not a picnic out there."
Lange passed him easily in the marathon but also took time to acknowledge what Wurf has contributed with his strong cycling pedigree.
"He complimented me on what I'd done for the sport," Wurf said.
"It was really admirable of him. He shook my hand as he went past.
"I really appreciate that.
"I also watched him and thought ... I can come back and challenge him or at least get closer. What a great champion."
