Search
shop

Susie Cheetham takes victory at IRONMAN Hamburg

It's been a slow start to the year for Susie Cheetham, but victory at IRONMAN Hamburg on Sunday suggests she's on track for another top Kona performance
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Second career IRONMAN title for Susie Cheetham in Hamburg

Debut IRONMAN title for Denmark’s Kristian Hogenhaug

It’s been an interesting (but different) year so far for Great Britain’s Susie Cheetham. Returning to the top of the podium on Sunday at IRONMAN Hamburg (and collecting $15,000, and breaking nine hours in the process), will provide just the incentive needed for the final build towards the 2019 IRONMAN World Championship. Sixth in Kona in both 2015 and 2017, she has the ability to at least match those performances again.

From cutting her feet to shreds at Challenge Lisboa (bloody photo HERE!), to second two weeks ago at IRONMAN 70.3 Astana in Kazakhstan, it’s been steady progress to top form and fitness after a slower start to the year, highlighted on Sunday by strong performances across all disciplines.

The non-wetsuit swim saw her emerge from the Alster four minutes behind Caroline Steffen (SUI) and Julia Gajer (GER), but from there she powered toward the front of the race. Taking the lead shortly after the halfway mark she then built a T2 lead of almost three minutes over Gajer, thanks to a 4:46:57 bike split, the best of the race. Steffen was 5:34 back on arrival at transition with the fast-running Sarah Piampiano (USA) still a danger in fourth, ten minutes back.

Susie Cheetham - IRONMAN Hamburg 2019
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN

As expected, Piampiano made ground on Gajer and Steffen over the opening 10km, but Cheetham was matching her pace almost to the second, still maintaining that ten minute margin over the American with 32km remaining. At halfway, Cheetham still lead with Gajer second (+5:37), but now Piampiano was up to third (+8:02). The gap was closing, but not quick enough should it remain at that rate.

Into the final kilometre and Piampiano had continued her progress to hold second, but the Brit still had a five minute margin and was running well. Cheetham maintained her rhythm, finished with a 3:03:56 marathon to take the win by just over two and a half minutes, with Piampiano setting the fastest run time, 2:56:21. Julia Gajer completed the podium with a 3:12:31 marathon.

The men’s race win went to Kristian Hogenhaug (DEN). Two minutes down on the leaders after the swim – Michael and Andreas Raelert (GER), Ruedi Wild (SUI), Horst Reichel (GER) and Paul Schuster (GER) – the dane closed the gap to the leaders by halfway, before pulling clear in the final third of the bike to reach T2 (via a 4:17:29 bike split), almost four minutes clear of Andreas Raelert, Wild and Schuster.

While his advantage was reduced slightly during the first half of the run by Ruedi Wild, the Dane ran strong in the second half of the marathon and was never caught, eventually extending his advantage to five minutes at the finish, via a 2:54:03 marathon.

HAMBURG, GERMANY - JULY 28: Kristian Hogenhaug of Denmark celebrates winning Ironman Hamburg on July 28, 2019 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN

After wins at the Outlaw Half Nottingham (HERE), Outlaw Half Holkham (HERE) and Kona qualifying at IRONMAN Brasil, Will Clarke was hoping to challenge for the win in Hamburg, but it wasn’t to be his day at the venue where he finished fourth last year.

British Age-Group results

The race, as you would expect, was dominated by German athletes but there were a couple of GB Age-Group podiums:

  • Jennifer Wood, F45-49 – 1st
  • Paul Lunn, M45-49 – 3rd

IRONMAN Hamburg, Germany – Sunday 28th July 2019
3.8km / 180km / 42.2km

PRO WOMEN

1st – Susie Cheetham (GBR) – 8:58:02
2nd – Sarah Piampiano (USA) – 9:00:42
3rd – Julia Gajer (GER) – 9:09:39
4th – Caroline Steffen (SUI) – 9:19:28
5th – Martina Kunz (SUI) – 9:29:03

Susie Cheetham - IRONMAN Hamburg 2019
Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images for IRONMAN

PRO MEN

1st – Kristian Hogenhaug (DEN) – 8:11:26
2nd – Ruedi Wild (SUI) – 8:16:34
3rd – Paul Schuster (GER) – 8:24:25
4th – Arnaud Guilloux (FRA) – 8:29:14
5th – Philipp Mock (GER) – 8:35:11

DNF – Will Clarke (GBR)

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
Challenge Sardinia location
Let’s race… Challenge Forte Village Sardinia
Are calf sleeves actually worth it for triathletes? How many watts aero calf compression sleeves could save you
Laura Siddall Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon 2023
PremiumAre we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
Is sports nutrition bad for you? Ultra-processed foods are under siege, and athletes are caught in the cross fire – but should we be worried?
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
The ultimate city break triathlon race-cations: from Challenge Barcelona to Singapore T100 these are the best city centre races to combine multisport with sightseeing
latest News
Marten Van Riel IMWC Nice 2025 finish line
IRONMAN World Championship Nice 2025: Van Riel on ‘out of this world’ Norwegians
IRONMAN World Championship Nice 2025: Emotional Stornes hails impact of ‘best mates’
Stornes Iden Blummenfelt IMWC Nice podium 2025
IRONMAN World Championship Nice 2025: Full finishing order and DNF details including Magnus Ditlev
Sam Laidlow back stretch IMWC 2025 Nice
Sam Laidlow reveals what brought him to a swim standstill at IRONMAN World Champs
Casper Stornes Kristian Blummenfelt Gustav Iden IRONMAN World Championship in Nice 2025
IRONMAN World Championship Nice results 2025: Stornes leads HISTORIC Norwegian clean sweep
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...