The Ironman World Championship is the Super Bowl of the ironman world. It’s the culmination of a grueling season for endurance athletes, and therefore it’s not surprising that only the fittest and fastest athletes make it to the finish line.
The oldest Ironman Hawaii winners since 1980 include men from numerous countries and diverse backgrounds. Some are professional athletes, while others are ordinary people who have worked diligently to improve their health so they can compete at this level. Fond of topics like this one? Read on, as this article will discuss the eight oldest Ironman winners.
8. Frederik van Lierde (May 25, 1979 – present)
Year(s) Won: September 2013
Edition: XXXVII
Country: Belgium
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 51:02 + 4:25:35 + 2:51:18
photo source: Wikimedia
Frederik van Lierde is a retired Belgian long distance swimmer and triathlete who’s currently competing in the Ironman World Championship. Van Lierde started competing in long distance triathlons in the mid-2000s, and in 2013, he won the gold medal at the Ironman World Championships. Before winning his 2013 feat, he competed in the previous year but only got third place. His nickname is “The Crusher,” and he has won four consecutive Ironman titles in the mass competition category.
Did You Know?
In March 2015, he completed a solo circumnavigation of the world by bicycle.
7. Chris McCormack (April 4, 1973 – present)
Year(s) Won: 2007 and 2010
Edition: XXXI, XXXIV
Country: Australia
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 51:48 + 4:37:32 + 2:42:02 | 51:36 + 4:31:50 + 2:43:31
photo source: South China Morning Post
Chris McCormack is an Australian long distance swimmer and triathlete who’s best known for winning the Ironman World Championships in 2007. McCormack started competing in long distance triathlons in 1995, and in 2007, he won the Ironman World Championships for the first time. In 2010, McCormack regained his title, and it was his last play. In December 2018, he was inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame in recognition of his status as one of the greatest triathletes ever.
Did You Know?
He is also known for his famous “donut” ride around Lake Erie during each race weekend, where he rides around on his bike without any gears or brakes to raise money for charity.
6. Craig Alexander (June 22, 1973 – present)
Year(s) Won: 2008, 2009, and 2011
Edition: XXXII, XXXIII, and XXXV
Country: Australia
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 51:43 + 4:37:19 + 2:45:01 | 50:57 + 4:37:33 + 2:48:05 | 51:56 + 4:24:05 + 2:44:02
photo source: sportsmatik.com
Craig Alexander is an Australian long distance swimmer and triathlete who’s best known for winning the Ironman World Championships in 2011. Alexander started competing in long distance triathlons in 1996, and in 2008, he won the Ironman World Championships for the first time.
Following that year, in 2009, Alexander defended his title for two years in a row. Prior to these wins, Alexander competed in the Ironman World Championships in 2007, finishing in second place.
Did You Know?
Alexander is best known for his ability to withstand extremely high levels of physical stress—a skill that has helped him win several endurance races and become one of the most decorated athletes in triathlon history.
5. Tim DeBoom (November 4, 1970 – present)
Year(s) Won: 2001 and 2002
Edition: XXV and XXVI
Country: USA
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 52:01 + 4:48:17 + 2:45:54 | 52:02 + 4:45:21 + 2:50:22
photo source: Alamy
Tim DeBoom is a retired American professional triathlete and long distance swimmer who is currently competing in the Ironman World Championship. DeBoom has been competing in triathlons since 1997, when he placed 6th at the Wildflower Triathlon.
Since then, he has earned many titles and recognition, and in 2014, he was inducted into the Ironman Hall of Fame. Although DeBoom has been competing in triathlons for over two decades, he has been training for Ironman for only two years, and he’s the oldest person to ever win the Ironman World Championship multiple times.
Did You Know?
Tim loves biking as much as running and swimming—in fact, he bikes more than any other activity except sleeping!
4. Peter Reid (May 27, 1969 – present)
Year(s) Won: 1998, 2000, and 2003
Edition: XXII, XXIV, and XXVII
Country: Canada
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 52:04 + 4:42:23 + 2:47:31 | 51:46 + 4:39:33 + 2:48:11 | 50:36 + 4:40:04 + 2:47:38
photo source: babbittville.com
Peter Reid is a retired English triathlete who competed in the Ironman World Championship. Reid was an Olympic swimmer, competing for Great Britain at the 1992 Summer Olympics, where he finished fourth in the 100 meter breaststroke. At the time, Reid was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and at the time, he was also struggling with alcoholism. After undergoing treatment, Reid decided to turn his life around and start competing in long distance triathlons, and in 2003, he won the Ironman World Championships. He also won the championship in 2000 and 1998.
Did You Know?
He started running track and cross country at the age of 11, and he continued to compete in races throughout his teen years.
3. Mark Allen (January 12, 1958 – present)
Year(s) Won: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1995
Edition: XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, and XIX
Country: USA
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 51:17 + 4:37:52 + 2:40:04 | 51:43 + 4:43:45 + 2:52:48 | 50:14 + 4:46:07 + 2:42:09 | 51:27 + 4:35:23 + 2:42:18 | 50:40 + 4:29:00 + 2:48:05 | 51:50 + 4:46:35 + 2:42:09
photo source: triathlon.org
Mark Allen is an American long distance swimmer and triathlete who’s best known for winning the Ironman World Championships six consecutive times. Allen started competing in long distance triathlons in the late 1970s, and in 1989, he won the Ironman World Championships for the first time.
In 1990, Allen won the Ironman World Championships for the second time, and in 1991, he won the Ironman World Championships for the third time. In 1992, Allen won the Ironman World Championships for the fourth time in a row, and in 1993, for the fifth time. In 1995, Allen competed in the Ironman World Championships for the last time, finishing the race as the winner.
Did You Know?
Mark Allen is the first Ironman to ever win the event six times.
2. Dave Scott (January 4, 1954 – present)
Year(s) Won: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987
Edition: III, VI, VII, VIII, X, and XI
Country: USA
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 51:00 + 5:03:00 + 3:50:33 | 50:52 + 5:10:16 + 3:07:15 | 50:52 + 5:10:48 + 3:04:16 | 50:21 + 5:10:49 + 2:53:00 | 50:53 + 4:48:32 + 2:49:11 | 50:57 + 4:53:48 + 2:49:26
photo source: triathlete.com
Dave Scott has won more Ironman World Championships than anyone else in the world, and he’s one of the oldest Ironman Hawaii winners. He is a retired American swimmer and triathlete who’s best known for winning the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Scott started competing in long distance triathlons in the 1970s and won his first Ironman World Championship title in 1980. From 1982 to 1984 and again from 1986 to 1987, he won the championship, earning him the recognition of being one of the world’s best triathletes.
Did You Know?
He is best known for his trademark mustache. He was also a four-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming and a nine-time national record holder.
1. John Howard (August 16, 1947 – present)
Year(s) Won: 1981
Edition: IV
Country: USA
Record (Swim + Bike + Run): 1:11:12 + 5:03:29 + 3:23:48
photo source: Wikipedia
John Howard is considered the oldest Ironman winner. He is an American long distance swimmer, triathlete, and former US Navy SEAL. He’s best known for winning the Ironman World Championships in 1981. Howard started competing in long distance triathlons in the late 1970s, and in 1981, he won the Ironman World Championships for the first time. In 1980, Howard also competed in the championship but only won 3rd place. Howard competed in Ironman events again in 1994, 2000, and 2001, but he didn’t win any of the titles since then.
Did You Know?
He started training for the Ironman World Championship when he was 19 years old.
