Lisa Perterer (AUT) and Arthur Horseau (FRA) took the respective titles at IRONMAN Cozumel after Matthew Marquardt became the third big name on the men’s side to miss the race.
Three-time IRONMAN World Champion Patrick Lange pulled out just before he was due to travel to Mexico because of a stomach bug. Then Sam Long elected to race IRONMAN Arizona the week before so he could be there for the birth of his second child.
But Marquardt’s withdrawal only came on the eve of the race after the med student, who has won both IRONMAN Cairns and IRONMAN Lake Placid this season, had travelled. Writing on Instagram, he explained: “Unfortunately, there will be no Ironman Cozumel for me 😭 health comes first.
“I’m really bummed to announce that I am withdrawing from Ironman Cozumel less than 24 hours from race start. A week ago, I developed a glute/hip injury on an easy run. Since I could swim and bike without pain, there was hope that it might heal in time to still do Cozumel. I wanted to race so badly that I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately, 10 minute trial runs yesterday and today made it clear that attempting to race was too much of a risk for further injury.
“I was sooooo looking forward to this race and this incredible course but I have to prioritize my health even though not being able to race is especially disappointing given all the sacrifices everyone on my team has made throughout the last 3 months of clinical rotations to help me get here. I wish everyone the best of luck. I’ll be out on course cheering people on. Hopefully, I can come back in the future to race this incredible location.”
And in his absence, here’s how the races unfolded in what was the Latin American Championship for both the men and women, with four Kona slots up for grabs in each event…
Pro Men – Horseau proves strongest
The Cozumel swim is usually one of the quickest around but not as much this year though it took Switzerland’s Sven Thalmann just 41 minutes and one second as he led the field out of the water. Michele Sarzilla (ITA) and Joaquin Pereda (MEX) weren’t far behind but there was a gap of over a minute to the rest.
The first section of the bike saw Thalmann continue to lead the way, before Damien le Mesnager (FRA) took over and then he was joined at the front of the race by Jesse Hinrichs (GER).
But all the while Horseau, a friend and often training partner of Sam Laidlow, was moving up the field. Last year he won IRONMAN Lanzarote and Embrun but 2025 has been a struggle – until now.
Around the 10km point on the run he was in front – and never looked back. He crossed the line in 7:48:18, ahead of Almog Elazary (ISR) in second at 7:52:38 and Sebastian Norberg (SWE) in third in 7:52:52.
Pro Women – One-way traffic
It’s been a breakout season for Austria’s Perterer, who was runner up in this event 12 months ago.
And she wasted little time in establishing her authority here. When she exited the water in a time of 51:13 she was already a minute clear of closest rival Diana Castillo Franco (COL) and over three minutes in front of the rest. Of the favourites, 2021 winner Sara Svensk (SWE) was at +3:54 and Danielle Lewis (USA) +8:10.
Onto the bike and before halfway she was more than 10 minutes to the good. Svensk and Lewis by now were second and third – and together. And that alliance pegged the gap for a while – 12 minutes for most of the second half of the bike before Perterer put the power down again late on and going into T2 it was 14:48 and nearly half an hour back to Leonie Konczalla (GER) in fourth.
The run went the same way – all about Perterer as Svensk moved clear of the rest and that was how it stayed.
IRONMAN Cozumel 2025 Results
Sunday November 23, 2025 – Cozumel, Mexico
Pro Men
- 1. Arthur Horseau (FRA) – 7:48:18
- 2. Almog Elazary (ISR) – 7:52:38
- 3. Sebastian Norberg (SWE) – 7:52:52
- 4. Michele Sarzilla (ITA) – 7:55:53
- 5. Nick Emde (GER) – 7:56:13
Pro Women
- 1. Lisa Perterer (AUT) – 8:29:29
- 2. Sara Svensk (SWE) – 8:50:44
- 3. Marta Lagownik (POL) – 8:53:12
- 4. Danielle Lewis (USA) – 8:59:07
- 5. Arlette Gonzalez (MEX) – 9:06:28
