IRONMAN Texas 2019 Results

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- A cool morning turned warm day set the scene for the 2019 Memorial Hermann IRONMAN North American Championship on Saturday, April 27. A short time before 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning, the waters of Lake Woodlands welcomed pro and amateur competitors from over 60 countries and 45 states to kick off the 9th IRONMAN Texas event hosted by The Woodlands area.

The amount of energy required to complete a 140.6-mile triathlon on a warm Texas day is not to be taken lightly. Luckily for this year’s competitors, spectators came from all over to provide a boost all throughout the course. Whether it was noisemakers along the canal during the swim, a pair of dinosaurs at the start of the bike stage, or dancing cowboys and cowgirls in swimsuits and a hippie band along the run course, IM Texas supporters were at full strength throughout the day.

As always, the pros led the way during the race. IM Texas was a competitive race that included some big name favorites being pushed by elite competition. Men’s champion Patrik Nilsson and Women’s champion Daniela Ryf didn’t even lead until the running stage of the race. For Ryf, her ninth overall IRONMAN event victory was one of the legend’s toughest.

“I had to fight hard, I had some great competition, they pushed me hard,” said Ryf. “The nice thing about long races is if you don’t give up, you can always come back.”

The Swiss superstar said she had low energy all day, but the help of coaches and friends allowed her to push forward and grind out a win.

Patrik Nilsson raised the finish line tape at an IRONMAN event for the fifth time in his career. The Swedish pro closed down the nine-minute gap created by Andrew Starykowicz in the bike stage to be the first competitor to make the celebratory trek up the red carpet on Waterway Avenue.

Results

Men’s champions:

Patrik Nilsson - Sweden (7:50:55)
David Plese - Slovenia (8:01:50)
Andrew Starykowicz - USA (8:03:53)

Women’s champions:

Daniela Ryf - Switzerland (8:37:24)
Jocelyn McCauley - USA (8:39:41)
Jeanni Seymour - South Africa (8:58:03)

Best Amateur Men’s Finish:

Juan Valencia - Columbia (8:57:13)
Mens 40-44 age group

Best Amateur Women’s Finish:

Jana Richtrova - Czech Republic (9:37:48)
Women’s 35-39 age group