Knokke-Heist was the setting for two Ironman competitions this weekend. — © Ironman
Knokke-Heist –
The first Ironman weekend in Knokke-Heist is a fact: on Saturday (51.50) and Sunday (70.3) thousands of people came to support athletes from all over the world. “Everyone enjoyed it immensely,” said Sports Alderman Jan Morbee (GBL).
Sunday September 17, 2023 at 4:48 PM
On Saturday a quarter triathlon was scheduled for around six hundred participants, on Sunday approximately 2,500 top athletes were allowed to start a half triathlon, the infamous Ironman 70.3. Our compatriot Pieter Heemeryck was the big winner there.
Top time by resident
“He was impressed by the setting and gave us compliments,” says Sports Alderman Jan Morbee (GBL). In the women’s race, Lucy Buckingham (United Kingdom) won the 70.30 on Sunday. “It’s striking: Tom Defoort from Knokke-Heist ran a top time with 3 hours, 55 minutes and 38 seconds,” says Morbee. (read more below the photo)
After such a tough performance, a beer is more than deserved. — © Ironman
It was of course important for the people next to the course that it remained dry. The supporters turned out to be present in large numbers. “A lot of people came,” Morbee remembers. “People often stood in rows on the Zeedijk to support their favorites. The audience and the field of participants were also very international. In the men’s top 10, we find all foreigners, except for Heemeryck. The whole world was here. Everyone enjoyed it immensely.”
The 51.50 was won by the German Niels Wieduwildt for the men, and the Belgian Camille Liebaert was the best for the women. The Ironman weekend will also be held in Knokke-Heist in the coming years.
