Search
shop

Brits aim for victory (and records?) at IRONMAN Brasil

Tim Don and Susie Cheetham will start IRONMAN Brasil on Sunday with podium thoughts, plus the opportunity for fast times too...
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

Could Tim Don become Great Britain’s third ‘Sub-8’ Brit this weekend?

Susie Cheetham starts with great chance of success on Sunday

With a C.V. that already includes ITU World Championship titles in triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon, plus a Bronze medal at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship (alongside a host of other wins), Tim Don is the veteran of British triathlon who is still at the sharp end of the sport. Now 39 years of age, Tim is showing no signs of doubting his competitive abilities at the highest levels.

Tim Don wins big prize money at the 2010 HyVee Elite Cup (pic Delly Carr / ITU Media)
Tim Don wins big prize money at the 2010 HyVee Elite Cup (pic Delly Carr / ITU Media)

2017 has already stared well (‘Dirtyfast‘, as he’s prefer it…), with 70.3 titles in Mexico and China, plus fourth at the very competitive IRONMAN 70.3 St. George.

This Sunday Tim races his first full distance of 2017, IRONMAN Brasil, which also carries South American Championship status (and the $150,000 prize purse / $30,000 first prize that goes with it).

Last year IRONMAN Brasil saw one of the quickest times in history from race winner Brent McMahon (CAN), who clocked 7:46:10 – a time which is still the fifth fastest iron-distance time in history (CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SUB-8 CLUB).

Second last year in 8:04:15, Tim is returning to an event with previous course knowledge and good form suggesting, perhaps, that The Don might have his eyes on a 7:XX finish himself. With Brent McMahon returning, saying “I have set records and challenged my abilities here in the past so I am keen to test myself again and see if I can raise the bar even higher”, winning the race – which will be Tim’s primary goal – might suggest that a Sub-8 will be the absolute minimum required. Once you are in that territory, the the British record might be under threat.

Whatever happens, I’m pretty sure I’ll have quite a few stats and table to update early next week.

Fastest British Men’s Iron-Distance Performances (CLICK HERE FOR FULL ANALYSIS)

  1. Joe Skipper (Roth 2016) 07:56:23
  2. Will Clarke (Texas 2017) 07:59:02
  3. Will Clarke (Copenhagen 2016) 07:59:31
  4. Paul Amey (Arizona 2011) 08:01:29
  5. Tim Don (Brasil 2016) 08:04:15

 

A British double? Susie Cheetham seeks debut IRONMAN title

While Tim should be in contention for the win in the men’s race, Susie Cheetham also has a fine opportunity to continue what has been a remarkable start to 2017 for the British Elite women over all distances. Third at IRONMAN South Africa already this year, Cheetham starts with a more than fair chance of victory in a race which, to my eyes, doesn’t have a clear favourite. Several athletes will be starting the 3.8km swim from El Divino Beach believing they have a chance of victory.

Susie Cheethan Ironman Brasil preview
Third at IRONMAN South Africa 2017

If she can claim top spot, it would be a first full distance win for the Brit, who has one second and three third places in IRONMAN events to date. With a personal best time over the distance of 9:03:32 from IRONMAN Barcelona 2014, the fast Florianopolis course could provide a great opportunity for her to join the Sub-9 Club in the process.

FULL IRONMAN BRASIL START LIST

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Joe Skipper finished fifth at Challenge Roth 2023
Challenge Roth 2025: Triathlon star Joe Skipper comes back from the brink for another shot at iconic race
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...