Cozumel, Q.R. — Cozumel’s latest weekend triathlon welcomed 2,071 athletes from more than 80 countries for the 17th edition of Ironman. The starting pistol for the elite male athletes was fired by Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez. Jacobo Arzate Hop, President of the Quintana Roo Sports Commission, fired the starting pistol for the elite female athletes.
Rear Admiral José, the Secretary of the Navy, also participated, firing the starting pistol for the para-athletes. From the first light of day, the sporting atmosphere ignited with the official protocol led by the Naval Sector’s marching band followed by honors to the national flag.
At 7:00 a.m. sharp, the starting gun fired for the elite men’s category followed five minutes later by the elite women’s race. At 7:10 a.m., two triathletes (one from Mexico and one from the United States) continued the race, and at 7:15 a.m. the continuous flow of age-group categories began under a rolling start system with athletes entering every two seconds.
Triathlon, considered by many to be the most beautiful sport in the world, found its ideal home again in Cozumel, where every pedal stroke and step became a personal story of effort, pride and overcoming.
The island was transformed into a sporting celebration as it welcomed more than 2,071 triathletes from 81 countries for the weekend competition.
Athletes from Mexico, the United States, Canada, Germany, Iceland, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Peru, Italy, France, Spain, Argentina, Norway, Colombia, and Panama arrived in Cozumel for the triathlon.
The countries with the highest participants were Mexico, Germany and the United States.
Among the most inspiring stories was the participation of two senior athletes, an 82-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman. The youngest competitors in the event: an 18-year-old Mexican triathlete and a 19-year-old male triathlete, all of whom demonstrated that the passion for this sport knows no age.
The swimming competition took place in crystal-clear waters with favorable currents and a perfect sunrise that framed a unique spectacle for athletes and spectators.
The cycling portion then began, where participants enjoyed beautiful scenery along the route before finally facing the toughest challenge: running, where controlling emotions and thoughts is crucial to completing the triathlon.
In total, nearly 100 professional triathletes joined the age-group competitors to complete the 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike ride and 42.2 km run. This competition awards 100 passes to the world championship that will be held in Kona, Hawaii.
A total of 11 Cozumel residents crossed the finish line in this edition of the Ironman.
In this sporting event, Mexico was represented by the professional presence of Arlette González and Joaquín Pereda, who faced great international figures such as the Austrian Michael Weiss, multiple champion of Ironman Cozumel, the American Matthew Marquardt and German Paul Schuster.
In the women’s division, the competition highlighted the participation of Olympian Lisa Perterer from Austria and American Danielle Lewis, who dazzled on the spectacular routes of the Island of Swallows.
Every triathlete who crossed the finish line and heard the iconic phrase, “you are now an Ironman,” wrote an unforgettable chapter in their life, maintaining a steadfast attitude, never giving up, and demonstrating that dreams come true with discipline and heart.
Among them, the legendary Luis Álvarez shone once again, completing his 216th Ironman race in this edition and his 17th in Cozumel, reaffirming his legacy as one of the most emblematic athletes on the circuit.
The island registered an 80 percent hotel occupancy rate for this weekend, allowing for a significant economic boost with the visit of tourists from different parts of the world, who, when posting their publications, position the island as a global destination.
Cozumel once again proved why it is the most beautiful place to experience the Ironman: a natural paradise, a magical town full of energy and a perfect setting where thousands of athletes celebrated sport, life and the passion to transcend.
