This race is now part of triathlon folklore after Kristian Blummenfelt’s incredible time of 7:21:12 on what was his full-distance debut back in in 2021.
That remains the fastest ever time for the distance, albeit it often has an asterisk added because the swim was helped by a strong current in the waters off Mexico.
Blummenfelt of course has gone on to win the IRONMAN World Championship and many other middle and full-distance races, taking the IRONMAN Pro Series crown this year too.
Another former IMWC in the shape of Patrick Lange should have been here in bib #1 for the men’s race but a bout of illness has unfortunately ruled him out.
But here’s all you need to know ahead of the 2025 version – which is the Latin American Championship for both the men and women…
Start time and how to follow live
The race will take place on Sunday November 23. In Mexico, the professional men will start first, with the gun going off at 07:00 local time. This corresponds to 12:00 in the UK, 13:00 in Central Europe and 04:00 on the West Coast.
The women’s race in Cozumel will commence two minutes later at 07:02 local time. This corresponds to 12:02 in the UK, 13:02 in Central Europe and 04:02 on the West Coast.
Unfortunately, there is no live stream this weekend in Cozumel. However, the ever reliable IRONMAN Tracker App is a useful companion and will provide up-to-date splits throughout the swim, bike and run for the professional and age group races.
The course – and that fast swim!
Much of the focus at Cozumel is on that lightning fast swim but a flat three-lap bike course and then a marathon with less than 50 metres of total elevation underlines why this is very much a PB course.
You can find out much more detail here with Jenny Lucas-Hill’s ‘Let’s Race’ feature on IRONMAN Cozumel.
Pro men
As we said at the start, there’s no Patrick Lange. And Sam Long, who was down to wear bib #2, also misses out as he raced IRONMAN Arizona last weekend instead so that he could be on hand for the birth of his second child.
But in their absence Matthew Marquardt (USA), who has already raced four IRONMANs this season including wins in Cairns and Lake Placid, will be the strong favourite – despite a hectic preparation.
Writing on Instagram, the remarkable med student said: “Race week looks a bit different. Inpatient oncology ➡️ Ironman Cozumel 🏝️.
“With rotations in full swing, I will be arriving in Cozumel at the last possible moment before race day. I have the privilege though of being on inpatient oncology this week. I’ll be in Columbus until Thursday before making the trip down to Mexico. Looking forward to one last race of the season.”
Pro women
In the women’s race the top three on the start list will all fancy their chances.
Austria’s Lisa Perterer has already enjoyed an incredible season, with a runner-up spot at IRONMAN Lake Placid to subsequent IRONMAN World Champion Solveig Løvseth and then an brilliant fifth on her Kona debut.
She warmed up for this with seventh place at Dubai T100 last weekend and was runner-up in Cozumel 12 months ago.
Danielle Lewis (USA) has struggled over the full distance this season but won Lake Placid in 2024 while Sweden’s Sara Svensk stands out after her eighth in Kona and 12th place in the 70.3 Worlds in Marbella.
Svensk also won IRONMAN Cozumel in 2021 as ‘Big Blu’ was setting records in the men’s race.
Prize Money: What’s on the line?
The prize purse on offer this weekend is $100,000 – with the winners collecting a $15,000 share of that total.
In addition to money, there will be a total of eight qualifying slots for the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, split equally between the women and men.
The total funds will be paid ten-deep, as follows:
- 1. $15,000
- 2. $9,000
- 3. $7,000
- 4. $5,000
- 5. $4,000
- 6. $3,000
- 7. $2,500
- 8. $2,000
- 9. $1,500
- 10. $1,000
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