In his first race back from injury, Brownlee was unsure how the Grand Final would pan out. With the leaders until T2, he slipped down into 12th at the line. 

“It would have been disappointing if I’d done any better than that. It would have been a bit unfair with the amount of running I’ve done. I haven’t run more than an hour in the last three months. I’ve only run 10k two times. 

“I knew it wasn’t going to happen on the run. It was the first time I’ve run off the bike since Gold Coast, and I was like ‘wow, I shouldn’t really be here’. But when I surged I had nothing, I just had to be really cautious about it. But I don’t know why people were chasing me down on the bike because I wasn’t a threat to anyone. I’ve done three weeks running! The name on my bum can work against me sometimes. 

“To get a result that’s respectable off the training I’ve done… you’ve got to be realistic but it is frustrating… on those dead turns and you see those people [ahead] and think ‘I should be there’. But I was in the race, not hanging off the back. 

“It all just came too easy at the start of the year. I still believe that performance in the Gold Coast was the best overall performance this series. I had the best swim I’ve ever had, me and Varga did a two-up time-trial 40k and then I put 20seconds into him on the first 3k of the run. That shouldn’t happen. 

“I had an aim to be here three months ago and the doctor said you’ve got no chance. But here I am! I said to my coach this morning, ‘it can’t get any worse than London.’ But then that’s not something to be very proud of really. I was probably in the form of my life in London, but whereas today I wasn’t. 

“I’ll have less rest now than I normally have cause I had a big rest in the middle of the season. And then get back in Gold Coast form and hopefully it all come too easily again.” 

Richard Murray, RSA, 3rd in race, 4th in Series

Murray bridged a 40sec gap on the bike to the leaders in the course of one lap, to run himself onto the podium. 

“Everyone started to smell the fumes of the front group, I think. There were a couple of points where it was a bit confusing and it almost didn’t come together and I didn’t want to leave it to chance. Because whenever we got really close everyone sits up and the gap can open, so I literally just went for it to make sure I was there.

“I was shouting for five or six laps. I probably spent a couple of hundred calories just shouting! I think a lot of the guys aren’t used to the whole rolling, road bike side of it, so they pull off and go really wide on the bike and it starts to confuse the whole group. But luckily it started to work nicely together and we had a lot of strong guys and then we managed to close the gap. But it definitely burnt the legs a lot. By the time we caught them the amount of energy spent was massive. So on the run I was cramping from about the second lap. It looked like it was not going to end up pretty. 

“I was actually in agony, cause at all the right-hand turns, my left hamstring… so I had to hold it back and Mario and Javi went off and I couldn’t run any quicker cause I was actually cramping up. And luckily towards the end I was actually feeling better over the last lap to go.” 

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Javier Gomez, ESP, 2nd in race, 1st in Series 

Gomez needed to finish fourth or higher to take his fifth ITU world title. Finishing second behind teammate Mario Mola, he crossed the line to make history. 

“I was surprised at the way Mola came out of the water, to be honest!  He was in front of me, and had a great swim. I know Mario’s probably the fastest runner, he had a good day today, but I was happy with my title in my pocket, running shoulder to shoulder with him. I still tried to win the race, he was just stronger. 

“But I’m happy with a second and of course with my fifth world title. I’ll need some time to understand what I’ve achieved over these past nine years. I’m really proud of my career so far. And I hope it’s not the last one. I hope I’m still competitive in the next few years. I’m really enjoying my career at this point. 

“I tried [to surge] a couple of times on the last lap, and the last time I tried I surged pretty fast, and said I’m going to give everything now and see what happens, but [Mola] was a bit stronger in the last 300m and was able to hang on. I just couldn’t beat him, he was faster today. I think we ran pretty fast, I gave it my best, I ran well, he was just stronger.  

“I’m running faster and anything could happen [heading into 2016 for the Rio Games]. You can get injured… but obviously I’m still on top and this gives me a lot of confidence for my training next year and I’ll hopefully be running a bit faster. 

“I won’t do 70.3 races before Rio, I need to focus. I really enjoy 70.3 racing but it could be my last Olympic Games and I want to give it my best shot. I’m still enjoying this kind of racing, I’m still competitive. It’s hard to decide [if I will go long after Rio], I will decide next year.” 

Mario Mola, ESP, 1st in race, 2nd in Series

Mola ran side-by-side with compatriot Javier Gomez until a surge with 300m to go saw him take the race win. 

“I always learn from Javier, so when I have the opportunity to run side by side it’s always an amazing feeling. I was lucky to get this one and win today but he’s five times world champion, what can you say. 

“I’ve been training and working on my swim and sometimes it shows up, but we’ve got to be happy with that. I have a good teacher in [fiancée] Carolina [Routier]. She deserves this as much as I do. 

“I knew that it was very hard to become world champion today because Javi had been on the podium in almost every single race he’s done. So as soon as I was side by side I was sure he was going to be world champion, so my options were to keep the silver and the second position overall, so I tried to make the gap bigger to make sure I was able to finish in that position. In the end, I got first so I can’t be more pleased than that. 

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“At that point [when he made the move that would stick], when you already have 1hr40 racing in your legs you’ve got to go flat out. I was just waiting for my chance. I knew that if we were together for the last 4-500m I could beat him, so that’s why I tried to stay as close as possible. And that’s when I made my move. There wasn’t much energy left but you’ve got to go to the end to find that little bit of extra energy and motivation to make it to the end.”

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With so many athletes racing this weekend, we’ve asked for some race tips from Carol Bridge, previous winner of the middle distance Gauntlet, and David Bishop, who’s previously nabbed second in the men’s Olympic distance race. 

David’s tips 

“Firstly, if you get the chance, make sure you check out Hever Castle and its gardens, you’ll then be able to appreciate how lucky you are to race in such a venue. The course is simply beautiful! The swim start is picturesque; you walk down into the water from the famous loggia set in the heart of the gardens. Be careful here though, as it can be slippery. I hear the swim course is different this year so I can’t comment too much on the swim. I do know you follow a similar route to the Gauntlet and get the chance to swim along the River Eden, which, from the looks of last year is very cool. At least it will give athletes less chance to go off course!

“The run up to T1 and transition itself is fairly long.  I would suggest, use this time to relax a little bit and focus on getting it right. Hever is such a big event now meaning transition will likely be a maze. Make sure you know what you are doing, where the exits are and where your bike is located. I always look for familiar landmarks, well flags or banners on the side of fences. You spend hours swimming up and down in a pool to improve your swimming; don’t waste those hard earned seconds in transition!

“The bike is challenging but fun! Don’t blow your doors on the first climb, which you hit within the couple of km. This is possibly one of the hardest sections on the course but you still have a long way to go, and two laps!  The bike really does have a bit of everything…. Flat sections, hills, long descents. Play to your strengths and make sure you fuel yourself. Hever is a tough day out. If you don’t get this right you will pay for it at the end of the run. 

“The road coming into T2 is fairly narrow, so if you are planning on overtaking then make sure you have done so before you enter the castle grounds. The spectators usually gather around the entrance to T2 so make sure you have wiped the spittle from your face. If you are in a close battle with a rival this is a good opportunity to see where you are in the race. The transition again is fairly lengthy presenting another opportunity to relax and gather your thoughts.

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“The run is possibly my favourite discipline of the day. It is confined within the castle grounds, it is largely off-road so choose appropriate footwear – I find race flats fine, but if conditions are wet and you find running off-road difficult at the best of times then perhaps a shoe with more grip would be a better choice. Like the bike, the course is tough so pace yourself for the two laps! Apart from that, enjoy the weekend. I always say the Castle Series events are more than just a race!”

Carol’s tips for the Gauntlet

“Hever’s swim course is really beautiful but, as with all open-water swims, navigating the course is challenging. Make sure you wear tinted goggles – the sun will dazzle your vision otherwise. On some parts of the course you’re very close to the bank, so use it to guide your direction when you breathe to the side. This will reduce the number of times you’ll need to lift your head to look forward.

“It’s an obvious and very common tip, but really make sure you practise swimming in your wetsuit. It’s very different to swimming without. Also rehearse taking your wet wetsuit off quickly for transitions. 

“The course at Hever is not what you might expect for this part of England. There are quite a few hills and some that are pretty steep. Make sure your bike has suitable gears. I used 11/25 on the back and 53/39 on the front. Try to spin as much as you can on the climb, conserving enough energy to power over the top so your speed increases as quickly as possible immediately afterwards.

“Nutrition is obviously very important in the Gauntlet. There are a number of food stations along the bike and run routes, which is great, but make sure you have your own supply of gels and bars just in case you miss the food stations. After the race, you will be very dehydrated so be sure to drink plenty. I find isotonic sports drinks like Erdinger are very good to rehydrate after the event.

“The run is two 10.5km laps on a mix of road, trail and bridleways so keep an eye on the pre-race weather and choose your footwear accordingly. Although it’ll be a tough day, make the most of the experience. There is a great atmosphere and the finishing chute is lined with spectators. I can guarantee it will feel amazing running the last 100m to the line.”

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Make sure you take time to visit the 220 Triathlon stand at Hever if you’re there this weekend – and look out for 220’s Helen and Matt who are both racing! Are you racing too this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

The race began at 8:45am, and duathletes of all abilities took to the closed roads of the park to tackle one of the four run-bike-run challenges, either the ultra-distance (20km run/77km bike/10km run), standard distance (10km run, 44km bike, 5km run), half-distance or relay event.

Alan Murchison won the men’s standard distance duathlon, completing the course in a time of 2:01:27, whilst pro triathlete and duathlete Emma Pallant won the women’s race in a time of 2:12:22. Murchison, a multiple European & World AG Duathlon Champion commented: “It was great to compete in the world’s biggest duathlon and even better to win it! The conditions were excellent and it was a pleasure to take part in such a well organised event”.  Emma Pallant who raced in preparation for the Adelaide ITU Duathlon World Championships, said: “The atmosphere was incredible, the weather was perfect and all the competitors and spectators seemed to be having a great time”.

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The ultra event was won by Tom Marshall in 4:22:43 and Vikki Sivertsen in 5:04:27.
The course in Richmond Park, the host for all ten previous editions of the event, is the largest of the capital’s eight Royal Parks and the biggest enclosed space in London, provided the perfect setting for the competitors.
The event was started in 2005 and has grown in popularity each year. Public places for this year’s event sold out four months before race day, and the final Ultra finisher crossed the finish line just after 5pm having run and cycled well over 100km.

Results:

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FIRST DUATHLON MALE: Alan Murchison in a time of 2:01:27

FIRST DUATHLON FEMALE: Emma Pallant in a time of 2:12:22

FIRST ULTRA MALE: Tom Marshall in a time of 4:22:43 

FIRST ULTRA FEMALE: Vikki Sivertsen in a time of 5:04:27  

But when the mercury rises around April time, it actually becomes nigh-on impossible to train, which is where a relatively new overseas training location steps in – Austria!

Nestled within the tiny Austrian town of Fuschl am See, just 30mins west of Salzburg, is Hotel Mohrenwirt. Run by the Schmidlechner family for five generations, it’s currently in the hands of keen triathletes Jakob and his wife Sabine. Together with their experienced staff they provide guests with a host of services and packages to suit every athlete and traveller. Here are just a few of the highlights on offer:  

Swimming 

The crystal clear waters of Lake Fuschlsee, where guests can enjoy some of the best open-water swimming we’ve ever experienced, is just a 300m walk from the hotel. There’s also free access to a 25m heated outdoor pool, again just a few minutes’ walk away, where two swimming lanes are reserved every day (end of April – end of September) from 8am until 10am, exclusively for Mohrenwirt guests.  

For an injection of competition, Mohrenwirt hosts the annual Fuschlsee Crossing, which takes place every August and offers two race distances – 2.1km or 4.2km. We were fortuitous enough to catch the swim during our stay, and were impressed by the level of organisation, enthusiasm and celebration that was afforded to each and every competitor. All entrants were treated to a post-race barbeque, set to a Euro Pop soundtrack not that dissimilar to scenes we witnessed just one day later at the much bigger Ironman 70.3 World Champs, in Zell am See, a 90min drive away. 

Biking

Located in the Salzkammergut region, the hotel is the ideal base camp for ambitious cyclists looking to explore the surrounding lakes and mountains on two wheels. The network of trails in the region is perfect for road bike riders looking to train hard or prepare for a race. Pick up the latest maps, including route descriptions, from the hotel’s bike info corner – each ride is graded according to its difficulty level. Jakob or a member of his team also run weekly guided rides in the region. 

Canyon road bikes can be hired at the hotel, with guests able to reserve the bike of their choice when booking their stay.  

Running

There really are very few better ways to start the day than by taking a run around the stunning Lake Fuschlsee. 220’s Matt Baird did just that during our stay*: “The 12km run loop from the hotel door around the Fuschlsee lake is a thing of beauty,” he says.  

“Skirting back and forth from the lake shore, the rolling circular route takes in dense woodland, lakeside beaches, farmers’ fields complete with cows wearing cowbells and infuriatingly tempting lakeside bars, with enough triathletes in Lycra on the course to add a little competition into the runs if you feel like upping the pace. And if you do get too hot in the midsummer Austrian sun, then the glistening blue water is only a hop, skip and jump away…” 

And should competition be your thing, the hotel organises its own 12km run race, the ‘Fuschlseelauf’, every August.  

All-inclusive triathlon package

Prices From €87 per person/night

Dates 6 April – 25 October

Included in this package: 

Buffet breakfast.

Afternoon après bike snack.

Five-course dinner with three main course choices and salad buffet.

The Mohrenwirt energy pack for when you’re out and about, with energy bar, energy drink and banana.

Access to the Mohren-Spa, including a roof terrace.

Access to the hotel’s private beach on the crystal clear Fuschlsee with jetty, sunbathing lawn and paddle boards.

Admission to the modern public beach ‘Fuschlseebad’ with heated 25m outdoor pool.

Free entrance to the gym in the public Fuschlseebad.

Access to the hotel’s natural orchard garden with sunbathing lawn.

Free laundry service for your sports clothing.

Support and tour suggestions provided by hotel staff.

Map with suggested tours and elevation profiles.

Running map.

Free GPS devices with preinstalled tours for hire.

Workshop for simple repairs and a bike wash station.

Locked bike garage with video surveillance.

Shower facilities available until the evening on the day of departure.

Wifi throughout the hotel.

DVD rental.

City bike rental.

For more details on the facilities on offer (be sure to check out the barbecue hut, pictured above!), training camp dates and a full price list head to www.mohrenwirt.at.  

And to read more about the German Pro Triathlon Team Mohrenwirt, head to www.mohrenwirt.at/pro-team.

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*220 were given a complimentary two-night stay at Hotel Mohrenwirt.

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As competitors lined up for the swim they were rewarded with breathtaking views towards the Snowdon horseshoe. The swim in the full distance race was cut from 1000m to 500m due to cold water temperatures.
With the ‘Storm’ sprint distance and ‘Blizzard’ full distance events to choose from competitors set off on either a 69km or 31km cycle, which took in some of the most beautiful roads and climbs in Snowdonia National Park. Upon completing the cycle the athletes were then faced with a challenging but rewarding run to the summit of Moel Siabod and back, finishing at Plas y Brenin.

Up at the front end of the racing in the men’s full distance category, the glory went to Ewan Brown, who has won every edition of the Snowman Triathlon since it’s inception. Brown led for much of the race and seemed comfortable throughout, although the tenacious and highly talented Alex Foster put in a great effort on the run to make sure his race wasn’t made easy. Brown’s win in 3:00:23 ensured he retained his Always Aim High Tri-Series champion status and he did it in style, by winning the other two races in the series, the Slateman and Sandman triathlons.

In the women’s race, Sandman Triathlon winner and the new AAH Tri Series champion Natalie Seymour fended off the rest of the field to romp home in a time of 3:40:41. 

Sprint distance winner Helen Talbot crosses the finish line

In the sprint race, the promising young athlete Tomos Nesham won the male event in a new course record time of 1:38:59. In the female sprint category, the winner was Helen Talbot in 1:58:11. 

Always Aim High also offer an all-expenses-paid trip to the Nevis Triathlon in the Caribbean for the male and female athletes with the fastest accumulative times from their three-race series. The winners were Ewan Brown and Natalie Seymour, who will be jetting off to Nevis for the exotic race in 2016. 

Seymour said: “It’s an amazing opportunity to go to Nevis. The views I saw today around Snowdon were incredibly stunning and will be hard to beat but I can’t wait to get out to the Caribbean.”

Event Planner and Always Aim High Event Director Tim Lloyd was delighted with how the Snowman Triathlon weekend had gone:

“This year’s Snowman Triathlon has been by far the best to date. The feedback we have had so far has been incredible and it’s nice to be able to organise an iconic and stunning event that is enjoyed by elite athletes and novices alike. Whats more, the support from the hundreds of spectators all over the course has been great.”

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You can view the full distance results here and the sprint distance results here. 

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Taking to Twitter after the race, the Xterra champ said: “Gave it everything I had today, unfortunately not enough to take that dream world champs podium. But I’m very satisfied with my 4th place. Awesome to race in GB colours and even more special to have my closest friends and family out there on course to cheer me on. The support was out of this world couldn’t have done it without you all! Huge congrats to everyone that raced!”

Spain’s Ruben Ruzafa and Bermuda Flora Duffy (BER) were crowned the king and queen of the rough and tough after conquering one of the grittiest and grimiest races of the season. For Ruzafa it was his second consecutive title, while Duffy earned gold for the first time.

Women’s Race

After taking silver at the ITU Cross Champs in Zittau last year, Duffy had a point to prove in 2015, setting out to claim her first world title with a mission of authority. Joining her on the podium was former ITU star Barbara Riveros (CHI), who took silver, and Brigitta Poor (HUN), who took the bronze.

Duffy commanded the race right off the bat after taking an early lead in the swim. With an advantage of nearly 1:30mins, she was first to exit the waters. Riveros followed in second, with South Africa’s Carla Van Huyssteen not far behind.

Struggling through the first transition, however, Van Hussteen quickly lost time and was unable to hold onto her initial top placing.

Putting her strongest discipline to the test, Duffy was able to increase her lead to over 2mins on the bike. Cruising through the mudslinging off-road tracks, the Bermudian was in a class of her own, with only the 9.6km off-road run left before she was able to secure her crown.

While Duffy worked alone on the bike, Riveros, Poor and Carina Wasle (AUT) toughed it out together for the final podium slots. Entering the race, Germany’s reigning world champion Kathrin Müller had also hoped to claim a medal, but trailing by a massive 13min gap behind Duffy at the start of the run, her quest was short-lived.

Completing her dominant tape-to-line performance, Duffy carried out the fastest run split of the day (38:35mins) to secure the world title in 2:25:56. Riveros’ speedy 38:54min split catapulted her into second at the line, in 2:29:46, almost 4mins down on Duffy. A further 8mins back, but using the momentum of the lead she built up from the bike, Poor was able to finish the day in third with a 2:38:10.

Men’s Race

After a comeback start and tight finish, Ruzafa became a back-to-back world champion, winning the cross triathlon honours for the second consecutive year. Earning his first ITU podium, Francisco Seranno (MEX) finished with silver, followed by Sam Osborne of New Zealand with bronze.

Ruzafa’s day looked doomed from the off after he hit T1 after the 1.5km swim almost 2mins down on the leaders. But showing no mercy to the mud and muck of the off-road track, he pushed out a blistering first lap on the bike to blow by the competition and catapult him into the first-place position.

Declaring it is his final cross triathlon world championships, Conrad ‘The Caveman’ Stoltz (RSA), a three-time world Xterra champion, also exited the waters nearly 2mins down but was unable to close the gap over the remaining distance, eventually finishing in 16th.

Entering the run, Rufaza managed to secure a comfortable lead. But a swift split from Serrano put nervous pressure on the reigning champion as he gained on the Spaniard heading into the final kilometres. With the chase for gold going down to the wire, Rufaza found an extra gear to ultimately put enough space between himself and Serrano to cross the line first with a 26sec window.

Osborne followed in for bronze a further 2:24mins back to claim the final spot on the podium.

Llewellyn Holmes was the top finishing male Brit in 35th, with a time of 2:27:37. 

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For full results head here

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From ITU and Olympic champions to previous Ironman World Championship winners, there are a host of contenders  to take the title in 2015, including Brits Tim Don and Joe Skipper, with the potential there for a fiercely-fought battle akin to Scott and Allen in 1989 and McCormack and Raelert in 2010.

Here 220 columnist Tim Heming counts down his predicted top 10 finishers…

10. Matt Hanson

Past results: ninth in Age-Group 2013; IM Texas winner 2015, IM Chattanooga winner 2014

There can’t be many professionals in Kona newer to the sport than Hanson, who only took up triathlon in 2011, but as a professor of exercise science and director of the human performance program at Buena Vista University, he’s well placed to optimise his training and the rise has been impressive.

Two years ago he finished a mere ninth in his age-group (25-29) in Hawaii, but hinted at his potential with a 2:53 marathon, the fastest amateur split. Since turning professional he has won Ironman Chattanooga in a course record 8:12:32 last year and did the same this time around in Texas with 8:07:43 where he ran down a 9min deficit to Joe Skipper and extended to a 9min margin of victory. That 2:45:47 showing was not even Hanson’s fastest marathon in an Ironman – the 30-year-old ran a 2:41:38 on the same course last year and a 2:42:07 in Coeur d’Alene, both course records.

The likelihood is that Hanson will struggle in the swim and suffer on the bike, but with few expectations, the man from Concord, Massachusetts, might just fly on the run.

9. Tim Don

Past results: IM Mallorca winner 2014; IM 70.3 Monterrey winner 2015; 2006 ITU World Champion

Don validated his full distance race requirement by winning with a comfortable 4min cushion on debut in Mallorca last September, with his qualification chances already buffered by a glut of points from last year’s third place at the Ironman World 70.3 Championship.

The Boulder-based Londoner wisely elected not to fit in another full distance effort, and instead took to the 70.3 circuit with victories in Monterrey, Brasilia, Utah and Ecuador; a predominantly South American schedule linked to a Coca-Cola team endorsement signed alongside British female professional Rachel Joyce.

It was all going so well until Don came off his bike just before the business-end of the season. Thirty-six stitches in his face, two in his knee, six internal and two to save his thumb meant he flew to Austria for the 70.3 worlds topped up on antibiotics, and pulled out before the end.

Missing the last big training block is far from perfect preparation for a first crack at Kona, but enforced layoffs can be turned to a positive, and Don is of that mindset, with assurances he’s fit and firing if a little fatigued. In some ways it’s exactly where you should be a few weeks out, and he does have a lifetime of endurance conditioning to fall back on.

8. Joe Skipper

Past results: Second place IM Texas 2015; three podiums at IM UK

This could be the highest achieving year yet for British male triathletes in Kona, with debut appearances from Tim Don and David McNamee. Skipper, though, could top the lot. Unlike the others, the 27-year-old from Norfolk has not come through the British Triathlon system but since stepping up to long course action has been a breath of fresh air, with his honest endeavour, candid views, heavy-hitting bike legs and slick run splits.

He’s had three consecutive podium finishes at Ironman UK, a race he’s desperate to win and must surely land within a couple of years. But the result that really put his name forward as a contender – and into exalted company in the saddle – was a runner-up spot in the Ironman North American Championship in Texas. A 4:10:07 bike split was the fourth fastest official Ironman bike ride ever. Given the company he’s keeping, the reality is Skipper is only a dark horse for the top 10, but his strong bike leg could make him an exciting prospect. 

7. Eneko Llanos

Past results: IM 70.3 Lanzarote winner 2015; Ironman Europe Champion 2013; Three-time XTERRA World Champion 

Of the four Spaniards on the startlist, Llanos looks to have the all-round talent to produce the best result in Kona. At 38, there are plenty of miles on the clock with an Ironman career stretching back over a decade, three XTERRA world titles and an appearance in the first Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

He DNF’d last year in Kona after the bike leg and an eighth place in the Ironman European Championship in Frankfurt with a 3:18:34 marathon was also below par, but Llanos is still a regular top 10 performer and retains some of his short course speed, as proven by a 1:11:16 half-marathon in a packed Challenge Dubai race in February. He’s also proved he’s in good current shape with a win at the recent Lanzarote 70.3 race, so expected to be in the mix.

6. Brent McMahon

Past results: IM Arizona winner 2015 (course record); three-time IM 70.3 North America champion

Owner of the fastest Ironman debut time ever at Arizona last year (7:55:48), the Canadian certainly has the speed to impress on debut in Hawaii. 

Now 35, he experienced two Olympic Games eight years apart in Athens and London, improving from 39th to 27th, and will not have lost all the speed from the 31:09 10km split he put in at Hyde Park. Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, McMahon has also worked with the same coach, Lance Watson, for two decades and despite the extended short course career, Watson believes his protege was always destined to go long, saying: “I knew when he was in his early twenties that he’d be best at Ironman, but Brent’s complete commitment to what we were doing long-term gave us the luxury of not rushing him to that distance.” The pair will hope the cool, calculated approach pays off on October 10.

5. Andy Potts

Past results: 4th IM World Championship 2014; IM 70.3 Calgary winner 2014; Escape From Alcatraz winner 2014

At 38, time should be running out for the ever-dependable Potts, and yet he’s showing few signs of slowing down, particularly in Hawaii. Save 2013, when he pulled out injured on the morning of the race, the American has been competing on the Big Island since 2008, collecting three top 10 finishes in the process.

Such is Potts’ reputation and history as the perennial swim leader, the lead kayak might as well be assigned as his personal companion, although Jan Frodeno tried to upset the etiquette by out-muscling him on to the pier last year and it’s likely New Zealand’s Dylan McNeice will have a say this time around. A 2004 Olympian in Athens where he was first out of the water and finished 22nd, Potts will undoubtedly lose a few spots on the bike, before – if he’s having a good day – forge back into race on the run.

Log on to Potts’ website and the first thing that greets you is a slogan saying: ‘Andy Potts is always a contender’. I don’t see anything changing here.

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4. Bart Aernouts

Ninth IM World Championship 2014; IM France winner 2014; IM 70.3 Wiesbaden winner 2014

Two things to know about Aernouts: he won’t win, yet he won’t be overtaken on the marathon. On dry land, the former duathlete and Uplace BMC team member excels.

The Belgian is the type of athlete you don’t hear about all day then pops up on Ali’i Drive in an impressive position having clocked just about fastest run split. In 2013 the 2:44:03 was good enough for eighth, last year’s 2:50:12 resulting in ninth. The non-wetsuit swim is where he suffers, but he’s improving – in 2012 he couldn’t break the hour, last year it was down to 55.43.

This year does offer more hope, as neither Kienle or Skipper are front-pack swimmers either, but will be amongst the strongest bikers in the race. If they come out of the swim in dribs and drabs it may not suit, but as a combined second or third chase pack it will be fun to watch, fireworks will fly and it could set Aernouts up perfectly to unleash yet another impressive run.

Find out who our tip for the top spot is on page 3

3. Freddie van Lierde

IM World Champion 2013; eighth in IM World Championships 2014; IM Port Elizabeth winner 2015

Just as in 2013, Van Lierde will not be many people’s pick to win Kona – including the Ironman public relations department – but if you had to choose a top 10 certainty, it would be the Belgian. Van Lierde just gets the job done.

He keeps a low profile, as low as any world champion as he controlled the race to claim victory two years ago. He also rarely has a bad day, the worst of Van Lierde probably arriving last year when suffering from stomach cramps to finish eighth.

Rarely found wanting in the swim, a smart, strong biker and consistent runner, Van Lierde is coached by namesake and two-time Kona winner Luc van Lierde. He doesn’t race too often, but will be as well prepared as any athlete on the island.

But can he live with the best of the best? It may sound like it’s detracting from his 2013 win, but the field is considerably stronger that it was two years ago. Van Lierde could even perform better than the 8:12:29 he produced in 2013 and still finish third.

2. Sebastien Kienle

IM World champion 2014; IM 70.3 World Champion 2012, 2013; IM European Champion 2014

The reigning champion. One of the sights of the Ironman World Championship is to watch Kienle, having clawed back the deficit from the swim, power past a paceline of 20 or so triathletes and burst into the lead on the Queen K. If this scenario plays out again then there’s no better front-runner in the sport than Kienle, who melts out fearsome power on the bike and always produces a measured, unflappable run. But will it be enough to retain the title?

Only four men have ever successfully defended the No 1 position on the Big Island, Dave Scott, Mark Allen, Tim DeBoom and Craig Alexander, and the year-long extracurricular commitments for reigning champions have only intensified. Ever candid, Kienle is also not one to turn down interview requests and has worn the mantle of champion with distinction.

In 2015, though, he hasn’t been quite as dominant. Out-split by 2:24mins by Frodeno in Frankfurt, and 2:19mins by Andreas Dreitz at the 70.3 Worlds in Zell am See, it could be his way of holding back the throttle to fathom the fastest combined bike-run strategy in Kona. Certainly the run is looking sharper than ever, including out-splitting Javier Gomez at the 70.3 Worlds over the half-marathon.

Expect Kienle to revert to type on October 10 and lay it all out in the second half of the bike leg, because he knows he needs a cushion leaving T2. From there a 2.50 marathon might pressure the faster marathoners to falter, except this year, I think there will be just one that won’t…

1. Jan Frodeno 

Third IM World Championship 2014; IM 70.3 World Champion 2015; IM Frankfurt winner 2015 (course record); Olympic Champion 2008

Frodeno heads to Hawaii looking to repeat the performance of Craig Alexander in 2011 by winning both the 70.3 and full Ironman world championship crowns.

The big German also looks without a weakness to attack. Any remaining questions over his step up from ITU racing hung over race management and nutrition, and he’s answered both. This year Frodeno returned to Frankfurt for the Ironman European Championship and set a course record in unseasonably hot conditions of 7:49:48.

Most notably, astride his new-fangled Canyon, he biked away from compatriot Sebastian Kienle – despite the nose cone dropping off. Kienle’s weapon of a second discipline may still re-emerge to full effect if the crosswinds take hold in Hawaii, but Frodeno has laid down a powerful psychological marker.

It hasn’t always been smooth progression – since winning gold at Beijing 2008, Frodeno only stood atop the World Series podium twice in ITU racing and not since 2010. Sixth at London 2012 having battled an injury was impressive, however, and now we’re witnessing a reinvigorated champion, and one who is unlikely to be stopped.

Given favourable conditions, even a course record – as Alexander achieved in 2011 – could be on the cards, and, whisper it quietly, maybe even a finish time under eight hours.

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Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments!

This was the seventh edition of the annual event, as competitors took on distances ranging from the new starter-sprint triathlon aimed at beginners, (200m swim, 10km bike and 2km run) up to the challenging Gauntlet Half-iron triathlon (1.9 kilometre swim, 90 kilometre bike and 21 kilometre run). Over a quarter of the field were first timers, a third took part last year, 800 braved the cold and camped next to the Castle and thousands of spectators lined the course.

The event was rounded off by the world’s biggest children’s triathlon, with 1,600 children aged 7 – 15 taking part – many for the first time – in the supportive surroundings of the Hever Castle Estate.

Champs crowned at Hever

The Hever Castle Triathlon attracted elite athletes, drawn by the prestigious champion’s title, prize money and atmosphere – including Commonwealth Games participant Liam Lloyd, Brit pro Catherine Jameson and World Aquathlon Champion Hannah Kitchen. 

The first title winners were crowned in the Olympic distance race. Despite having the early lead on the swim and bike, Sam Wade couldn’t hold on and it was the fast running and talented Calum Johnson who would take the title, and Johnson crossed the line in 2:02:30 ahead of Wade who completed in 2:03:15. Liam Lloyd completed the podium with a time of 2:07:19.

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In the women’s race it was the class act in the field who took the title true to predictions. Catherine Jameson had a huge lead after the bike and rounded off the race in first and a time of 2:18:31. Following her over the line was Sarah Lewis in 2:21:38 whilst Hannah Kitchen finished third in 2:25:25.

Endurance specialists take on The Gauntlet

The next race winners would come from the middle-distance Gauntlet race. Over 800 took on The Gauntlet in 2015, growing from 200 in its first year in 2013.

On top of the pile was Ashley Hurdman who was making his debut at the distance and finished ahead of top elites who suffered in the warm conditions (Cedric Lassonde and Matt Dewis would DNF).

Hurdman led from the bike and gave it everything, collapsing over the line with exhaustion in a time of 4:47:14. In second was pro biker turned triathlete and another debutante, Brennan Townshend in 4:48:04. Third was Pete Dyson in 4:51:28.

Kim Morrison, the European Age Group champion, was making her elite debut and set the tone for what could be a very successful pro career with a win. She led from the start to finish and a huge gap with 5:22:36. Second placed Ruth Purbrook crossed in 5:41:26 with Kate Mactear third in 5:52:21.

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Images: Colin Baldwin