2025 delivered unforgettable racing, from edge-of-your-seat finishes to performances that redefined what’s possible. Here are some moments that captured our attention and stayed with us long after the finish lines were crossed.
Important note: This list is meant as a starting point to spark conversation. Drop your favourite moments in the comments and let’s celebrate everything this incredible season delivered!
1. Records Falling in Hamburg
In Hamburg, Laura Philipp delivered a stunning 8:03:13 to set a new Ironman world record, while also running the fastest Ironman marathon ever at 2:38:27. Not far behind her, Solveig Lovseth announced her arrival on the world stage with the fastest Ironman debut in history, clocking 8:12:28 (a performance that foreshadowed what she would go on to achieve later in the season).
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2. Sam Laidlow’s Redemption in Roth
Sam Laidlow’s victory in Roth was more than a win – it was an emotional return. After months of uncertainty, unexplained fatigue, and questions surrounding his health (his “UU” diagnosis), he arrived in Germany with few expectations. Against the odds, he surged to victory in front of one of the sport’s most passionate crowds, sharing an unforgettable finish-line moment with Race Director Felix Walchshofer.
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3. A Norwegian Sweep in Nice
History was made in Nice as Casper Stornes, Gustav Iden, and Kristian Blummenfelt delivered the first-ever all-Norwegian podium at the Ironman World Championship. Beyond a national sweep, it was a testament to shared belief, collective development, and years of pushing one another forward. The result truly felt like the culmination of a shared vision between these three training partners.
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4. Chaos and Courage in Kona
The women’s race in Kona delivered one of the most dramatic chapters the island has ever seen. What began with familiar patterns – Lucy Charles-Barclay dominating the swim and Taylor Knibb charging on the bike – unraveled with these two favourites pushing themselves to the limit in the extreme heat (with Knibb collapsing mere minutes from the finish line!). Ultimately, Solveig Lovseth executed with calm precision, claiming the crown in her incredible rookie year.
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5. A New Era of Running: Records Broken in Nice and Kona
The bar for Ironman running was raised to new heights in 2025. In Nice, Casper Stornes became the first athlete ever to break 2:30 at an Ironman World Championship, running a staggering 2:29:25. One month later, Kat Matthews rewrote history with a 2:47:23 marathon – the fastest ever on the Queen K. It’s clear that extraordinary running is no longer the exception; it’s becoming the expectation.
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6. Lucy Charles-Barclay’s Redemption
Lucy Charles-Barclay is known for her resilience, and in 2025 she reminded the world why. After winning the London T100 in front of a home crowd and following it up with another T100 victory in Spain, her momentum was halted by a heartbreaking DNF in Kona. But rather than unravel, she reset, and just weeks later delivered a commanding win at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. It was redemption in its purest form.
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7. Geens vs. Blummenfelt: A Sprint for the Ages
On the men’s side, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella delivered one of the most electrifying finishes of the year. Jelle Geens and Kristian Blummenfelt ran shoulder-to-shoulder deep into the closing stretch, neither willing to yield. It wasn’t until the final metres that Geens found another gear to surge ahead, securing the inside line around the final bend and defending his world title by the slimmest of margins. It was triathlon at its best: unpredictable, tactical, and breathtaking.
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8. Challenge Roth: Still the Gold Standard
Challenge Roth once again proved why it occupies a category of its own. The race sold out in under 30 seconds and was crowned “Race of the Year” for a record 14th consecutive time at the Sailfish Awards. More than a competition, Roth remains a cultural phenomenon: a celebration of community, spectacle, and everything that makes triathlon special.
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9. A Year of Unprecedented Winning Streaks
Hayden Wilde’s 2025 T100 campaign bordered on perfection. His only misstep came not from fatigue or faltering form, but from an honest mistake – an extra bike loop in Dubai. Yet he still stormed back to win in Qatar, finishing the season effectively undefeated and claiming the overall crown. Meanwhile, Matt Hauser delivered a historic year of his own, capturing an unprecedented four WTCS victories en route to the world title. Across two very different formats, both athletes redefined consistency and excellence.
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(@hayden_wilde)Let us know your favourite moments!
The post Most Epic Triathlon Moments of 2025 appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.