Completing an Ironman is not easy, and for many athletes, completing the Ironman World Championships represents a life-long dream that requires years of dedication, sacrifice, and belief. As the sun basked Nice in a golden glow hours after Sam Laidlow claimed the championship title, we returned to the finish line to witness that special moment for age groupers around the world.
After swimming 2.4 miles in the Mediterranean, biking 112 miles up and down the hills above Nice, and running a marathon on a hot twenty-six mile out-and-back course, we asked athletes just moments after they crossed the line what completing the world champs means to them. Here are their stories.
Ironman World Championships 2023 Race Recaps:
“It’s grueling. But it was the best day, absolutely fantastic.” -Hendrick Frentrup, Germany
“It’s not that finishing an Ironman is special. Life is special, and this opportunity is special.” -Amilcar Altermani, Brazil
“I crashed really bad at mile 102. I cracked my helmet and my head went right onto the pavement. So I was 100% convinced I was going to go into T2 and quit. But I made it to T2, and then I made it to a half marathon, and by that point I figured I might as well make it to the end. It was amazing, I love this race. It’s so brutal. This one means a lot because I was so done. I got my s*** rocked really bad.” -Noel Mulkey, USA
“This is very rewarding. I’m French but I live overseas so it was very special to return to home soil.” -Philippe Rambert, Antigua
“The world champs is done. It feels awesome.” -Shaun Attenborough, South Africa
“This means a lot. It’s my first one [world championships]. It’s been my goal since I started triathlon to race Ironman.” -Bevan Nicholson, New Zealand
“It was like climbing Mount Everest. It was really hard, there was a lot of pain. But giving up was not an option.” -Karl Kaudela, Poland
“I’m just really happy.” -Frederik Herres, Germany
“This represents a lot of hard work and sacrifice. A lot of time. Not just from me but from everyone around me.” -Josh Crabtree, U.K.
“I’m very happy. Doing an Ironman is magical.” -Jérémy Breuil, France
“It’s a very hard race, but very beautiful.” -Fatih Topcu, Turkey
“My goal is to bring awareness to the Navy Seal foundation and to bring awareness to the brave warriors who we lost during the war and to their kids. Donate to the Operation Red Winds Foundation.”