Ironman Leeds 2025 – Race report
31 July 2025
Ironman Leeds 2025 – Race report by Dana Robertson.
My first full distance one… done!
13hrs 33mins 38sec – I’ll take that for first time out.
Overall event organisation super slick.
Vibes, amazing and friendly.
Swim.
Got some of that Ironman hype and emotion standing watching the pros go off, whilst waiting in the 1:15 swim group.
Awesome swim.
Started conservatively as per plan. Hit a great flow state and by 3/4 of mile of the first lap then dialed it up and finished strong (and also sorta thinking I should have ‘gone’ earlier, but hey ho…).
Thought time was positive looking at watch when climbing, 1hr 11mins 57secs – on a two lap swim course that was busy and kinkier than Lidl garden hose.
T1.
Out of the lake and a run up to the tent feeling ace!
Bike.
Hilly 3 laps… but ground it out, especially three hits of Black Hill (the third time up I was questioning life choices, as various Mexican wrestler costumed supporters cheered me on 1ft from my face 🤣).
Overall the bike course was relentless, in that it keeps you busy at all times – but I kinda liked it.
On third lap missed the first feed station, due to some plonker cutting in as we arrived at station.
He hurtled in way too quick for a feed station drive by and then dropped the anchors right in front of me so hard I had to swerve to avoid, whilst one handed trying to place a new water bottle behind me, but then I was through feed station and with no nutrition grrrr.
However, the rest of ride / final lap was fine and I hit up the second feed station to power up after Black Hill, but was fatigued by third lap for sure – I ain’t no Jonty or Smithers on the bike 🤣.
Final time 7hrs 22 mins.
T2.
Came into T2, looked at watch and felt pretty crestfallen due to time… but I hadn’t set a time to chase – and with it being a new course it was a voyage into the unknown…
I had to remind myself that poor head vibes was the fatigue talking.
So I had a laugh at myself for thinking dumb negative things and reminded myself that the run was there to be enjoyed!
Run.
Again, hilly 4 lap course, but had a strong and enjoyable non stopping run, 4hrs 39mins.
Didn’t go mad, kept even pace, kept fueling little and often – and enjoyed support offered by Leeds crowd, kept me pumped.
Finished run feeling really great (honest) and so STOKED ringing that first timers bell!
Crossing the line was an AWESOME feeling!
The results:
Overall 13:33:38
56th place out of 124 in M50-54 category.
646th place out of 1,145 by Gender
710th place out of 1,145 by overall
The breakdown
Swim 1:11:57, pace 1:54
T1 9:24 (including exit run)
Bike 7:22:58, pace 24.39
T2 9:56
Run 4:39:25
Can’t wait for next one, thinking Wales Ironman!
And long term, hmmm, the Channel baby…
But thanks all for inspiration and support – and shout out to the Chi Tri Spoons crew…
And final big thanks to Jonty, for advice and pirate vibes that helped keep the pressure off on race day 🙏🏴☠️
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