Having completed my first Ironman 70.3 in Mossel Bay, South Africa, last year, I was eager to sign up for another – partly driven by a growing passion for the sport, and partly by the need to justify the purchase of a TT bike.
I chose Ironman Belgrade 70.3 for several reasons:
· I wanted to compete in a new country and city I’d never visited before.
· The air and water temperatures were moderate, with low humidity – ideal race conditions.
· The flat bike course offered a great opportunity to test the speed of my Dolan TR1 across the full 90km.
· The flat run course was appealing, especially as I was recovering from shin splints earlier in the year and running remains my weakest discipline.
· The swim took place in Belgrade’s rowing lake – a fun prospect given my rowing background; I’m more accustomed to sitting above the water than being in it.
· Logistics were straightforward, unlike Mossel Bay, which involved a flight to Cape Town and a four-hour drive.
The race began with a strong swim leg, holding a 1:53/100m split to finish 17th out of 60 in my age group. My focus was simple: find clear water, swim a straight line, and maintain a strong rhythm. Despite a few minor navigation issues in the latter stages, I was pleased with my performance and felt fresh heading into T1.
Moving to the bike, my strongest discipline, my goal was to deliver a solid performance while preserving enough energy for the run. The course featured two 45km loops along Belgrade’s highways, stretching out of the city into open countryside. Although the flat terrain allowed for sustained speed, strong gusts in exposed sections made pacing tricky. Fortunately, consistent summer training – both on the indoor trainer and early-morning Al Qudra rides – paid off. I maintained a strong tempo throughout and finished 12th out of 60 in my age group.
Running has always been the toughest leg for me. Past muscle issues in my legs and hips, combined with a heavier frame, make endurance running challenging. In my previous 70.3, I struggled through the run, frequently walking and never finding a steady rhythm. This time, my primary goal was simple: run the entire course without walking, stopping only briefly at aid stations for hydration.
The run course was scenic and lively, following the river into central Belgrade and winding through a redeveloped harbour district lined with restaurants and bars. At one point, I found myself running past dozens of families enjoying Sunday lunch and afternoon pints, an amusing and welcome distraction from the pain. Unfortunately, there was no beer at the aid stations.
I achieved my goal, running the full distance without walking, and crossed the finish line 27th out of 60 in my age group with an overall time of 6 hours 7 minutes – a 50-minute improvement from my previous Ironman 70.3.
With Belgrade successfully completed, my focus now shifts to T100 Dubai and continuing to build experience through more local races.
Posted on 22nd Oct 2025
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