Sam Appleton and Regan Hollioake Dominate Ironman Australia

What a spectacular day at Ironman Australia. Sam Appleton and Regan Hollioake put on an incredible show, claiming the men's and women's pro titles in remarkable fashion.

Sam was unstoppable from the get-go. He scorched through the 3.8km swim in 47:11, putting nearly five minutes between himself and defending champ Steve McKenna. Sam kept the hammer down on the 180km bike, leading by over six minutes at times. Mike Phillips and Ben Hill fought hard to catch up but Sam held strong, maintaining a two-minute lead as he transitioned to the run.

The 42.2km marathon turned into a thrilling duel between Sam and Mike, with leads swapping back and forth. But Sam reached deep and surged ahead in the final stretch to claim victory in an astonishing 7:57:32, setting a new course record. An amazing accomplishment for Sam, especially sweet after a challenging end to last season. Sharing the moment with family and friends made it all the more special.

Now, let's talk about Regan. Despite only turning pro this year, she made a huge statement! After a challenging start in the swim and early bike, Regan hit her stride and began chasing down Radka Kahlefeldt. By the end of the bike leg, Regan had erased Radka's lead and charged ahead on the run, winning by a massive nine-minute margin in 9:02:04. Kate Gillespie-Jones claimed third, a further five minutes back.

Regan was ecstatic with her maiden Ironman win, calling it a dream come true. The tough course and strong competition made the victory even more meaningful. Incredibly, she's still working as a physio while pursuing her pro triathlon ambitions. What a rockstar!

Major props to the fantastic locals and volunteers who braved the elements to cheer on the athletes. The support out on the course was phenomenal.

So there you have it - an unforgettable day at Ironman Australia with two phenomenal champions in Sam Appleton and Regan Hollioake. With splits of 47:11 in the swim, 4:22:31 on the bike, and 2:43:27 on the run, Sam showcased his all-around strength. Regan's 53:05 swim, 5:01:08 bike, and 3:03:26 run demonstrated her immense talent and determination.

Men’s Professional Results

1. Sam Appleton – 7:57:32
2. Mike Phillips – 7:59:19
3. Ben Hill – 8:01:51
4. Henrik Goesch – 8:04:10
5. Steve McKenna – 8:08:03
6. Tim Van Berkel – 8:16:55
7. Kyle Tremayne – 8:58:06
8. Nathan Dortmann – 9:03:29
9. Brett Clifford – 9:10:54

Women’s Professional Results

1. Regan Hollioake – 9:02:03
2. Radka Kahlefeldt – 9:10:59
3. Kate Gillespie-Jones – 9:15:45
4. Danyella Eberle – 9:38:04
5. Emily Donker – 9:44:46
6. Dede Griesbauer – 10:12:39