Search
shop

IRONMAN South Africa 2022 results: Bleymehl back in style

Four seasons in a day but German star deals with it all to cross the line more than 10 minutes clear of her rivals
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Daniela Bleymehl (GER) made a sensational return to racing following the birth of her second child with an emphatic victory at IRONMAN South Africa 2022.

The 2018 Challenge Roth champion, who had three IRONMAN wins on her record before this season, gave birth to daughter Alicia last July.

And she was to the fore throughout on Sunday following a shortened swim as she, Susie Cheetham (GBR) – another mum on the comeback trail – and Sarissa de Vries (NED) quickly moved clear of the field on the bike.

In the second half of the bike Bleymehl began to assert and her dominance became even more clear-cut on the run as first Cheetham and then de Vries succumbed to what had turned into hot conditions, in stark contrast to the start of the day.

Unfortunately that pair were unable to finish and Bleymehl stopped the clock in 8:22:35, fully 11 minutes ahead of Elena Illeditsch (GER) in second and Magda Nieuwoudt (RSA) in third.

Speaking to Paul Kaye shortly after crossing the finish line, she said: “It’s eight months since I had my second baby and this might sound a little dramatic but it was all I could think about in the last half hour.

“I was so much dying in the last hour, I can’t remember the last time I suffered so much. It will take a while to sink in!”

Advertisement

Swim – de Vries makes early splash

A delayed start (to 7am local time) on account of breezy weather and choppy waters saw the sea swim shortened right down to 700 metres (the age-group athletes didn’t get to swim at all).

It was still a challenge though in chilly conditions and de Vries was first out of the water in 9:22, which gave her a 19-second advantage over Jade Nicole.

And despite the fact that swim was under 1km it still split up the field, with 1:45 between first and 10th.

Bike – Trio take control

It didn’t take long for three riders to move clear – Bleymehl, de Vries and Cheetham putting distance between themselves and the rest.

The trio had an advantage of around six minutes after 100km and it was at that point that Bleymehl started to move ahead of the other two.

Gaps soon began to appear – at the 126.5km time check Bleymehl was 1:20 to the good ahead of de Vries, with virtually the same gap back to Cheetham in third.

Run – Bleymehl out on her own

By the time she left T2, Bleymehl’s advantage was around four minutes.

But as the marathon wore on – and the temperature rose significantly – her two closest rivals were starting to struggle badly. Cheetham was first to go as she first alternated between running and walking.

De Vries then joined her on the sidelines as she slumped to the side of the road to take on fluids and find some much-needed shade.

It all left Bleymehl able to enjoy what was an emotional win in complete isolation, a very different finale compared to the men’s race an hour earlier.

Elena Illeditsch was second over 11 minutes adrift, with Magda Nieuwoudt completing the podium, the first three all earning a Kona slot.

IRONMAN South Africa 2022 Results

PRO Women

Sunday April 3, 2022 – 700m / 180.2km / 42.2km

  • 1. Daniela Bleymehl (GER) 8:22:35
  • 2. Elena Illeditsch (GER) 8:34:00
  • 3. Magda Nieuwoudt (RSA) 8:37:46
  • 4. Natia van Heerden (RSA) 8:38:34
  • 5. Jade Nicole (RSA) 8:41:02
  • 6. Katharina Grohmann (GER) 8:44:43
  • 7. Emma Bilham (SUI) 8:50:02
  • 8. Margrit Elfers (GER) 8:56:10
  • 9. Gabriele Obmann (AUT) 9:02:01
  • 10. Mariella Sawyer (RSA) 9:13:16
IRONMAN South Africa 2022 podium women
Photo Credit: Chris Hitchcock / IRONMAN South Africa
Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
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!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
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...