Triathletes were crossing finish lines around the world in a weekend that saw the debut of a new race in Africa, the final race of a triathlon legend, epic off-roading at the XTERRA European Championships, and more. Keep scrolling for the best images from the weekend of racing.
European Championships Munich 2022
Athletes start for the triathlon competition on day four of the European Championships Munich 2022 at Olympiapark on August 14, 2022 in Munich, Germany.
Britain’s Non Stanford won triathlon gold at the European Championships in her final major competition. “I can’t think of a better way to bow out,” the 2013 ITU world champion and 2016 Olympian told the BBC after the race. “I’m excited by the future, but also going to miss this.”
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In the mixed relay event at the European Championships, France continued its winning ways. The team of Leo Bergere, Emma Lombardi, Dorian Coninx, and Cassandre Beaugrand took yet another victory, adding another feather in an already-impressive cap after taking the world title at the WTCS Mixed Relay Championships in Montreal earlier this year.
IRONMAN Ireland
An age-group participant competes in the swim leg of IRONMAN Ireland in the natural beauty of County Cork.
Spectators cheer for athletes as they make their way up the grueling Heartbreak Hill climb during the IRONMAN Ireland. The course is known just as much for its beautiful Irish landscape as it is for the enthusiastic crowd support along all stretches of the swim, bike, and run routes.
XTERRA European Championships
Lukáš Kočař won the men’s race at the XTERRA European Championships, which can be replayed on demand on the XTERRA YouTube channel.
IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda
150 athletes from 37 countries, including 28 Rwandan nationals, participated in the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda in the waterfront town of Rubayu.
The first-ever IRONMAN event in the African interior was announced in January of 2022 with great excitement, as it provided a global competition for Rwanda’s burgeoning triathlon scene. According to statistics provided by IRONMAN, Rwanda had the highest representation at the race with 18% of participants, followed by South Africa (16%), Kenya (13.5%), the United States (10%), and Great Britain (9%).
Despite low participation numbers compared to other IRONMAN-branded events, which often seen start lists in the thousands, the Rwanda event served as a new addition to the destination race calendar.
“We hope athletes come to Rubavu not just to participate in the race but to also be able to enjoy the destination further with their family members,” Bonita Mutoni, CEO of Global Events, told Rwandan newspaper The New Times.