Top 10 Triathletes Of All-Time

Top 10 Triathletes of ALL TIME

These athletes have proven themselves over-and-over again.

They have trained harder than 99.9% of the World.

Here are the best:

1.    MARK ALLEN

Is the six-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion. After competing and losing in theIronman Triathlon Championships six times, Mark Allen emerged victorious in 1989, winning one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world.

It would be the first of six Ironman victories for Allen, the last coming in 1995 at age 37, making him the oldest champion ever.

He has also excelled at the Olympic distance, winning the sport's inaugural World Championships in 1989 in Avignon, France, by more than a minute. He went undefeated in 10 trips to the Nice International Championships, and from 1988-1990 he put together a winning streak of 20 races.

Over the course of his racing career, which ended in 1996, he maintained a 90% average in top-three finishes. He was named Triathlete of the Year six times by Triathlete magazine, and in 1997 outside magazine tabbed him The World's Fittest Man.

YEAR

RACE

COUNTRY

POSITION

SWIM

BIKE

RUN

RESULT

1995
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
51:50:00
4:46:35
2:42:09

8:20:34

1994
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
DNC
---
---
---
---

1993
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:07:45

1992
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:09:08

1991
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:18:32

1990
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:28:17

1989
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:09:15

1988
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
5th
---
---
---

8:43:22

1987
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
2nd
---
---
---

8:45:19

1986
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
2nd
---
---
---

8:36:04

1985
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
DNC
---
---
---
---

1984
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
5th
---
---
---
---

1983
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
3rd
---
---
---

9:21:06

1982
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
DNF
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---

2.    LUC VAN LIERDE

Triathlon is no exception, and Luc Van Lierde is a big champion, the fastest Ironman in the world.

His reputation as one of the best in the discipline was established in 1996. He won the European Championships and came second in the World Championships in the Olympic Distance Triathlon, won the Nice Triathlon and became World Long Course Triathlon Champion. But above all, he won his most glorious title in Hawaii.

Luc Van Lierde became the first European ever to win the Ironman World Championship, the most prestigious Triathlon event in the world, beating the existing record by three minutes. Went on to clock the fastest Ironman Triathlon ever in 1997, doing 7:50:27 (0:44, 4:28, 2:36, plus transition) in Ironman Europe.

When Luc Van Lierde completed Ironman Europe he clocked a world record that still stands: 7:50:27. His 2.4m swim was 44:51, the 112m bike was 4:28:47, and 26.2m run was 2:36:49. While a 4:30 bike has been attained quite a few times since, the combination of a devastating 45 minute swim plus a 2:36 run is fast.

In 1999 he once again won the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, outrunning the second placed competitor by six minutes. During that same year, he received the Giant of Flanders trophy awarded by the two Flanders section of the Association of Professional Journalists.

His Major Achievements in 1995 Silver medal at the World Championships, 1996 European Champion, Silver medal at the world Championships in the quarter triathlon, Silver medal at the World Championships, Winner Ironman World Championships, 1997 World record for Ironman event (7:50:27), 1999 Winner Ironmam World Championship.

3.    THOMAS HELLRIEGEL

German Ironman triathlete. His biggest achievement so far is winning the World Champion Title in 1997 Ironman World Championship.

During the last few years he developed his nickname “Hell on Wheels”. Among others he holds the bike course record of the IRONMAN Hawaii since 1996 with 4 hours 24 minutes 50 seconds für 180.2 km. This equals an average speed of almost 41 km/h (25,5 mph).

In his career Thomas has won other IRONMAN contests as well. Like in New Zealand, in Lanzarote and in Lake Placid/USA. He loves high temperatures and humidity in the air which allows him an advantage on his fellow competitors. While feeling well in the heat at the Opel IRONMAN GERMANY Triathlon 2003 with a 5th place he disliked the cold temperature in 2004.On the final run he couldn’t keep 3rd position letting 4 competitors pass him until finish line on the Römerberg in a world-class field. With a break over the winter Thomas took a deep breath to go as hard as he can when returning to Frankfurt.

4.    NORMANN STADLER

He is also known as “The Nominator”.

Is a professional triathlete from Germany. He is the winner of the 2004 and 2006 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii.

Normann Stadler was a member of the Tri Dubai triathlon team until Tri Dubai was disbanded at the end of the 2006 triathlon season.

Although he was expected to do well in the 2005 Ironman, he withdrew from the race after suffering multiple tire punctures. Frustration regarding the second flat of the day and a bleeding bee sting on the thigh prompted him to throw his bike off the road.

In 2006, Normann returned to Kona to compete in the Ironman World Championships. Normann swam fast enough to exit the water only moments behind the race leaders. Once on the bike course, Normann managed to gain over 10 minutes on the chase pack, setting a bike course record at 4:18:23 (26 mph). Australian Chris McCormack came within 71 seconds of Normann but was unable to get any closer. Stadler received $110,000 for his win.

When racing in the 2007 World Championship, Stadler was forced to withdraw due to illness before the midpoint of the bike ride and was unable to defend the title.

Normann Major Achievements in 2004 & 2006 Two-time Ironman World Champion, 2006 Bike course record, 2008 1st Place Moenchshof Triathlon, German Championships Middle Distance, Kulmbach, 2005 1st Place Ironman Germany, Frankfurt and 2001 1st Place Ironman Australia

5.    PETER REID

Peter has won 10 Ironman’s, including 3 World Championships in 1998, 2000 and 2003. Peter announced that he was retiring in 2006 and now focuses on coaching triathletes with his PR Peak Performance team.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

Race

Date

Swim

Bike

Run

Total

Ironman Hawaii
15-Oct-05
0:52:23
4:27:51
2:55:59
8:20:04

Ironman Hawaii
2-Oct-04
0:53:12
5:01:38
2:46:10
8:34:50

Ironman Germany
6-Jul-04
0:48:34
4:41:37
3:01:05
8:34:50

Wildflower
4-May-04
0:25:19
2:22:58
1:19:07
4:09:12

Xterra World Championship
7-Oct-03
0:19:29
1:41:32
0:40:14
2:41:15

Ironman Hawaii
1-Oct-03
0:50:36
4:40:04
2:47:38
8:22:35

Timberman Half Iron Triathlon
1-Aug-03
0:26:08
2:14:12
1:18:01
4:00:21

Ironman Germany
4-Jul-03
0:49:21
4:31:07
2:58:23
8:21:59

Escape from Alcatraz
7-Jun-03
0:34:21
0:48:31
0:45:38
2:13:18

Utah Half Ironman
7-May-03
0:26:35
2:11:19
1:25:01
4:05:27

Wildflower
10-May-03
0:24:02
2:34:15
1:19:52
4:20:08

Ironman Hawaii
2-Oct-02
0:53:20
4:44:15
2:53:48
8:33:06

Ironman Canada
1-Aug-01
0:53:08
4:35:12
2:57:05
8:27:47

Ironman Hawaii
1-Oct-00
0:51:46
4:39:33
2:48:11
8:21:01

Ironman Canada
1-Aug-00
0:51:07
4:45:15
2:50:59
8:29:49

Laguna Phuket Triathlon
3-Nov-99
0:21:00
1:25:09
0:44:48
2:31:00

Ironman Hawaii
2-Oct-99
0:50:46
4:41:39
2:47:56
8:22:54

Ironman Austria
1-Jul-99
0:48:28
4:25:08
2:35:21
7:51:56

Ironman Australia
1-May-99
0:50:11
4:44:47
2:48:13
8:23:10

Ironman Hawaii
1-Oct-99
0:52:04
4:42:23
2:47:31
8:24:20

Ironman Australia
1-Apr-98
0:48:45
4:39:34
2:52:08
8:20:27

Wildflower
2-Feb-98

4:07:38

Ironman Hawaii
4-Oct-97
0:52:24
4:56:32
2:54:20
8:43:16

Ironman Lanzarote
1-May-97
0:50:09
5:03:36
3:01:40
8:55:25

Ironman Australia
1-Apr-97
0:48:26
4:31:28
2:48:56
8:08:50

Ironman Hawaii
4-Oct-96
0:54:22
4:30:33
2:59:42
8:24:37

Ironman Europe
4-Jul-96
0:49:26
4:31:09
3:00:44
8:21:19

6.    HEATHER FUHR

Heather was the Ironman Triathlon World Champion in 1997. She has won 12 Ironman championships and is considered one of the fastest woman runners in triathlon. A female triathlete from Canada considered one of the best women runners in triathlon. Among her other victories are winning Ironman USA in 1999, 2001-2003 and 2005.

She has finished in the top 10 of Ironman Hawaii in 8 of the last 9 years, and won the race in 1997. She has also won races in Lake Placid, California, Europe, Switzerland, Brazil, and Japan. Heather is a member of Tri-Dubai.

Her major Achievements in 1999, 2001 – 2003, 2005 Winner Ironman USA, 1997 Winner  Ironman Triathlon World Championship, 2000 Winner Ironman California, Ironman Germany, 4 time Champion Ironman Triathlon Japan 95-97, and 2006. 1999 Ironman USA, 1998 Winner Ironman Switzerland, 2 time Winner Ironman Brazil 1998-99, 2 time Winner Wildflower Triathlon 1998-99. Winner 1997 Pacific Grove Triathlon, 4 time Winner Powerman Duathlon Races.

7.    LUKE BELL

He is an Australian triathlete, specializing in long course triathlons, particularly half-ironman and Ironman distance. Bell was born in Portland, Australia, but currently resides in Melbourne

His best results in full-distance Ironman Triathlons include 5th place in Hawaii in 2003 at the relatively young age of 24. He also has second place finishes at Ironman Australia, Ironman Brazil and Ironman New Zealand. He has won multiple half-ironman races, including California, Shepparton, and Tasmania.

8.    LORI BOWDEN

Is a professional triathlete from Canada. Bowden competes at the Ironman distance in the sport, her first win coming at Ironman Canada in Penticton in 1997. And a two-time Hawaii Ironman World Triathlon champion with 12 careers Ironman victories worldwide she has finished four Ironman races in sub 9 hours.

She won the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 1999 and 2003.

Lori Bowden is a 2-time world champion who has won titles in Kona, Australia, Austria, and Canada. She is one of the best known women in the sport and was the first to break the 3-hour barrier in the marathon segment of the race.

Major Achievements in 2003 Ironman Hawaii 1st Place, Ironman Germany 2nd Place. 2002 Ironman Hawaii 3rd Place, Ironman Canada and Ironman Austria 1st Place, 2001 Ironman Hawaii 2nd Place, Ironman Austria & Australia 1st Place, 2000 Ironman Hawaii 2nd Place, Ironman Canada & Australia 1st Place, 1999 Ironman Hawaii, Canada & Australia 1st Place, 1998 Ironman Hawaii 2nd Place, Ironman Canada 1st Place, Ironman Australia 3rd Place, 1997 Ironman Hawaii 2nd Place, Ironman Canada 1st Place, Ironman Australia 3rd Place. 1996 Ironman Hawaii 8th Place, Ironman Europe 3rd Place and 1995 Ironman Europe at 10th Place.

9.    DAVE SCOTT

Is a 6 Time Ironman World Champion.  He won the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii six times in 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, and 1987. Dave Scott came out of 'retirement' in 1994 at age 40 to take second place at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships, very nearly winning for a record-breaking seventh time. In 1996 at age 42, he returned again to place 5th. Running the marathon in 2:45.

Scott also referred to as “The Man”. During the awards ceremony for a Hawaii running race, a debate ensues among competitors about who is more fit -- swimmers, runners or other athletes. One of the participants, Navy Commander John Collins and his wife Judy, dream up a race to settle the argument. They propose combining three existing races together, to be completed in succession: the Waikiki Rough water Swim (2.4 miles), the Around-Oahu Bike Race (112 miles, originally a two-day event) and the Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles). "Whoever finishes first we’ll call the Ironman," said Collins. Fifteen men participate in the initial event held on February 18; 12 complete the race, led by the first Ironman, Gordon Haller. His winning time: 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds.

Today, Dave Scott is still actively competing in triathlons. He also works as a triathlon coach, fitness consultant, motivational speaker, commentator, and corporate consultant.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

YEAR

RACE

COUNTRY

POSITION

SWIM

BIKE

RUN

RESULT

1996
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
5th
---
---
---

8:28:31

1994
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
2nd
---
---
---

8:24:32

1989
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
2nd
---
---
---

8:10:13

1988
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
DNC
---
---
---
---

1987
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:34:13

1986
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:28:37

1985
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
DNC
---
---
---
---

1984
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

8:54:20

1983
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

9:05:57

1982
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

9:08:23

1982
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
2nd
---
---
---

9:14:41

1981
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii, USA
DNC
---
---
---
---

1980
Ironman World Championship
Oahu, Hawaii, USA
1st
---
---
---

9:24:33

10. NATASCHA BADMANN

Is a professional triathlete from Switzerland and was the first European woman to win the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. She won the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005.

In 1995 and 1997 she was the Duathlon world champion and in 1998 she sensationally won the Ironman in Hawaii for the first time. She was also elected Swiss Sportswoman of the year in 1998 and 2002.

At the 2007 Hawaii Ironman, Badmann hit a cone on the bike leg and injured her shoulder and collarbone. While she wanted to continue the race, Hasler convinced her to drop out to prevent further injury.

At the same race in 2006, stomach problems nearly caused her to drop out again. Early into the run, Badmann stopped and threw up. Struggling to continue, she began to walk. In a dramatic moment with tremendous support from cheering fans, Badmann, crying, began jogging. She finished 10th with a personal-worst marathon time of 3:27:54.

Though she finished second on the course of the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championships, Badmann is considered the winner of the race

Badmann is known for her dominating ability on the bike leg of the triathlon, and her positive attitude

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Coach Ty is a Professional Swim Technique training World Class athletes.  His clients include Triathlon World Qualifiers, Ironman Championships Finishers, All-American Athletes, Olympic Trials Qualifiers, and Record Holders.  Coach Ty can be found at http://www.coachtyonline.com or by email  coach@coachtyonline.com

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About the Author

Coach Ty

http://www.coachtyonline.com

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