Since 2000, IRONMAN have run one of the most iconic triathlon races on the calendar in Oceanside, with a full distance event in 2000 and 2001 making way for the middle distance race in 2002.
Over the past 22 years, IRONMAN 70.3 California became IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, which has been synonymous with the start of the middle distance professional racing calendar each year.
Ahead of the 22nd edition of the event on Saturday, we look back on the past winners of the race, some of whom will be lining up once again this weekend with the ambition of taking the tape again.
A history of triathlon greatness
In Oceanside, nobody quite has a record like American Andy Potts, who between 2007-2013 won six titles, including four consecutive victories between 2010-2013.
Other multiple winners at the event include IRONMAN World Champions Jan Frodeno and Mirinda Carfrae, who between them amassed six victories in Southern California.
More recently Lionel Sanders and Ben Kanute have been the dominant forces on the men’s side, with both taking back-to-back wins in 2016/17 and 2019 and 2021 respectively.
On the women’s side, each of the last six champions have been first-time winners in Oceanside. However, on Saturday, Taylor Knibb, Tamara Jewett and Paula Findlay will look to change that by adding to their previous victories.
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside past winners
2002: Tobjorn Sindballe (DEN) / Katja Schumacher (GER)
2005: Tobjorn Sindballe (DEN) / Samantha McGlone (USA)
2007: Andy Potts (USA) / Kate Major (USA)
2008: Andy Potts (USA) / Erika Csomor (HUN)
2009: Matt Reed (USA) / Mirinda Carfrae (AUS)
2010: Andy Potts (USA) / Mirinda Carfrae (AUS)
2011: Andy Potts (USA) / Mirinda Carfrae (AUS)
2012: Andy Potts (USA) / Melanie McQuaid (CAN)
2013: Andy Potts (USA) / Heather Jackson (USA)
2014: Jan Frodeno (GER) / Heather Wurtele (CAN)
2015: Jan Frodeno (GER) / Heather Jackson (USA)
2016: Lionel Sanders (CAN) / Heather Wurtele (CAN)
2017: Lionel Sanders (CAN) / Holly Lawrence (GBR)
2018: Jan Frodeno (GER) / Anne Haug (GER)
2019: Ben Kanute (USA) / Daniela Ryf (SUI)
2021: Ben Kanute (USA) / Paula Findlay (CAN)
2022: Jackson Laundry (CAN) / Taylor Knibb (USA)
2023: Leo Bergere (FRA) / Tamara Jewett (CAN)
Data wasn’t available for the race in 2003, 2004 and 2006, whilst the 2020 edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
