Anna Szabo wins Half Distance IronMan at X-Man România

Anna Szabo triumphed in the women's Half Distance IronMan competition held in Oradea, finishing with an impressive time of 5 hours, 15 minutes, and 53 seconds. This achievement places her ahead of Adel Koter, who secured second place with a time of 5 hours, 23 minutes, and 54 seconds, while Anca Istrate claimed third place with a time of 5 hours, 43 minutes, and 53 seconds.

The Half Distance IronMan event featured a challenging course that included 1,900 meters of swimming, 93 kilometers of cycling, and a 21.5-kilometer run. The competition kicked off at 7 AM at the Fughiu reservoir, with the cycling route taking participants through Fughiu, Husasău de Criș, Ineu, Botean, and Bălaia, followed by a run from Fughiu to Podgoria and finishing in Piața Regele Ferdinand.

Anna Szabo described the event as more of a training exercise for her, as she prepares to compete in the IronMan Full Distance in September. Notably, Adel Koter set a national record in the women's Full Distance category earlier this year, finishing in 10 hours, 55 minutes, and 2 seconds.

Anca Istrate, who hails from Năsăud but now resides in Switzerland, has been practicing triathlon for approximately three years. She shared that running is her strong suit, while swimming presents the biggest challenge. Anca expressed her appreciation for the event's organization and the vibrant atmosphere of Oradea.

In total, 510 athletes participated in the X-Man România triathlon in 2023, with 126 competing in the long distance, 187 in the medium distance, and 197 in the Olympic event. Additionally, 17 teams took part in the relay competition, showcasing a blend of talent, with 80 women and 430 men vying for the title of 'Iron Man.' The oldest competitor in the event was an impressive 66 years old.