2.500 triathletes experienced IRONMAN Vitoria in style.

El IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz, organized by The IRONMAN Group, has closed a new edition successfully and with the participation of 2.500 athletes who have enjoyed a spectacular tour and the atmosphere that Vitorians transmit to all the athletes.

A test that has had as a great winner the Australian triathlete, Nick Kastelein, in a great day for all triathlon lovers. The capital of Alava has turned enthusiastically throughout the weekend with this historic test.

90% of the participants have competed for the first time in Vitoria-Gasteiz, among which 43% have premiered here with their first IRONMAN®.

A test with an international stamp, with a 65% foreign participation from 65 countries, and which has registered an increase in the percentage of women registered.

More than 300 people, including staff from staff, security motorcyclists, canoeists, judges, medical and police personnel, and more than 250 volunteers have made sure that everything went smoothly.

Nick Kastelein wins after coming back in the marathon

The Australian triathlete based in Girona, Nick Kastelein, He has taken the final victory in this 2022 edition of the IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz, with record of the test with a time of 7 hours and 52 minutes.

Kastelein has emerged first from the water of the Lake Ullibarre-Gamboa leading a group of four athletes, but with the bike he has dropped several positions.

It has been during the foot race that he has tightened the screws to end up beating his opponents and winning the txapela of champion.

The second classified was his compatriot, Cameron Wurf, who has asserted his status as a INEOS professional team cyclist and has reached T2, in Vitoria, almost ten minutes ahead of the second at that time, the Danish Tobias Dahl Thomsen.

In the marathon, Wurf has suffered more and the rivals have cut him off, although finally the only one who has surpassed him, by only 30 seconds, has been Kastelein.

The German Dominik Sowieja He closed the podium coming within three minutes of the winner after completing a race from less to more.

The first Spanish triathlete has been the double champion of Spain of Long Distance, Victor Arroyo, who has taken advantage of the 42 kilometers through the streets of Vitoria to recover positions and cross the finish line as seventh in the general classification.

“I have won the IRONMAN and I don't believe it” 

Kastelein, overwhelmed with emotion, has recalled the times when he lived in Vitoria: “10 years ago I was having a coffee in Plaza España while watching the triathlon, and now I have won the IRONMAN® here, I really can't believe it".

“Being able to do an IRONMAN® in this city, with all the people screaming and cheering, is completely different. Vitoria has something close to my heart, I have no words to express what this victory means to me”, he remarked.

 With this victory, Kastelein gets the slot for Kona, a well-deserved prize for the triathlete, who has managed to make a good recovery after fracturing his pelvis in 2020. When they asked him about the pass for the Supersapiens IRONMAN® World Championship, he was excited and has said that "At first I didn't think about the slot, but it makes me very excited. I'll have to find a hotel in Kona!".

For his part, Wurf, happy with his result, declared that "andn some moments I thought that the race was over for me, but the encouragement of the people, who shouted my name and said that I was going to win, made me say “I can't give up”.

If I have arrived it has been 100% thanks to the enthusiasm of the Vitorians“. The Australian was also happy about the victory of his compatriot, who "at the end It flew by, it was fantastic".

For his part, Víctor Arroyo has stated that “even if you don't participate, coming to see this event is already worth it, since people know you and hearing your name on every street is very exciting". "Despite the fact that the race did not go as expected, I wanted to finish in the top 5, I am very happy with the organization's treatment", has added.

organization ratings

The race director, Eduardo Martínez, considers that this has been “the best edition of the IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz so far”. Martinez added that "We have broken the record of participants, record of the test and the atmosphere throughout the entire route has been unbeatable”. Furthermore, he has pointed out that “despite the heat, the organization's device has risen to the occasion and has been a resounding success".

Finally, the regional director of The IRONMAN Group in Andorra, Spain, Italy and Portugal, Agustí Pérez, has stated that “vReturning to this city with the large number of people who love this sport is worth all the effort we really make".

In this sense, he thankedto all the institutions, volunteers and staff that make this event possible so that more than 2.000 people have achieved their dream".

The economic impact of IRONMAN® Vitoria-Gasteiz

Once again, the green capital has welcomed with open arms the thousands of participants and their companions who have enjoyed the culture and gastronomy of the city.

They have also been able to verify the passion that the Basques have for sport and the spirit that they transmit to the athletes.

The celebration of this great sporting event generates a significant economic impact valued at 7 million euros. The hotels in the city and in the province of Álava have recorded an average occupancy rate of 90% these days, according to data from the Alavés Hospitality Business Union.

For its part, the bars and restaurants of Vitoria have been filled with the presence of triathletes and their family and friends.