Harry Palmer and Kat Matthews took top honours in the elite contest, delivering world-class performances under scorching conditions and making Swansea the backdrop for a historic third edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea.
The race featured a 1.2-mile swim in Prince of Wales Dock, a 56-mile bike course through the Gower’s coastal roads and countryside, and a 13.1-mile run along the Mumbles. With air temperatures exceeding 28°C and water temperatures above 24°C, organisers ruled the professional swim non-wetsuit—marking the first time elite athletes in the IRONMAN Pro Series have raced under such conditions in the UK.
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
(Image: Swansea Council)
Palmer powers to repeat win
Harry Palmer (GBR) retained his Swansea title with a strong all-round performance, finishing in 3:51:18 and earning the maximum 2,500 IRONMAN Pro Series points. Just 49 seconds separated him from training partner Leon Chevalier (FRA), with fellow Brit Kieran Lindars taking third in 3:52:29.
Speaking after the race, Palmer said:
“It was hot, and I do feel for all the age-groupers who are out there today, because they’ve got much harder conditions than we did, so fair play to everyone racing.
I didn’t have the best swim, I’ll be honest… I came out with the likes of Will Crudgington, Freddie Webb, Malachi Cashmore, and Kristian Høgenhaug, who was one of the guys I was keeping an eye on.
My favourite part is the support. The course is amazing, especially with weather like this, and the Gower is incredible. But it’s the people — it’s the Welsh. They just know how to put on an event and how to support. I’ll keep coming back to Welsh events because of that.”
Matthews shines on the beachfront run
In the women’s race, Kat Matthews (GBR) surged through the bike and run segments to take victory in 4:20:37, beating fellow Brit Rebecca Anderbury and Germany’s Daniela Kleiser.
Matthews, who last won in Swansea in 2022 and now leads the Pro Series heading into Kona, said:
“Three years feels like a lifetime. A lot has happened since then. I feel like a completely different person, and it felt like a different event this time around.
I didn’t have as much deficit coming out of the swim as I expected, so I was really motivated to attack at the start of the bike and catch the girls at the front… It was quite nice to feel in control until the run, when I felt a bit hot.”
Community support and first-time finishers
Thousands of supporters and volunteers lined the 70-mile course, providing encouragement and welfare support throughout the day. With over half of the age-group field tackling their first IRONMAN 70.3, it was a day to remember for both competitors and their families.
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea Race Director Rebecca Sutherland said:
“It’s always great fun when we go racing in Swansea, and this year was no different. It was another incredible race with thousands of athletes crossing the famous red carpet finish line to rapturous spectator support.”
The race is set to return to the coastal city next summer for its fourth edition on Sunday 12 July 2026. Registration is now open via IRONMAN’s official Swansea event page.
