Second place went to Great Britain’s Andrew Horsfall-Turner. Denmark’s Lars Homholt claimed the final spot on the podium, overtaking Robert Wilkowiecki only during the run.
At exactly 7:45, the first athletes competing in the Olympic-distance race entered the waters of Gdańsk Bay. They faced a 1,5 km swim, a 40 km bike course over rolling terrain, followed by a 10 km run through the main streets of Gdynia. The fastest athlete at Enea 5150 Gdynia completed the entire course in under two hours (1:58:09). Jakub Brzózka was unbeatable and praised both the organisation of the event and the courses after crossing the finish line.
I came here shortly after a training camp, so I started the race with slightly tired legs, but I managed to do well. The weather was perfect today, and the wind made it possible to reach some great speeds.
Jakub Brzózka – winner of Enea 5150 Gdynia
The first woman to cross the finish line was Małgorzata Granicka. Although she usually competes in 70.3 races, she chose the shorter distance in Gdynia. After the race, she explained that she was preparing for Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Kraków and did not want to put too much strain on her body. However, racing in Gdynia was also a sentimental return to a place that had previously played an important role in her sporting life. Gosia was a professional handball player and represented Vistal Gdynia. Today, she successfully competes in triathlon.
I was very happy to see Gdynia return to the IRONMAN Poland calendar. It feels like my second home. Everything was perfect today, both the weather and the supporters, including many of my friends.
Małgorzata Granicka – fastest woman at Enea 5150 Gdynia
As the fastest athletes in the Olympic-distance race were crossing the finish line, the first athletes competing in the IRONMAN 70.3 were just entering the water. Like the Enea 5150 Gdynia course, their route began in the waters of Gdańsk Bay, continued along the scenic and hilly roads of Kashubia, and finished through the streets of central Gdynia. The final kilometres took athletes along the seaside boulevard, with the finish line located in the heart of the City Beach. In total, the course covered 70.3 miles, or around 113 kilometres. This year, more than 1,000 athletes took on the challenge in Gdynia. The first to cross the finish line was Maximilian Sperl from Germany, who completed the course in 3:43:48.
It was a fantastic race. I raced in Kraków last year and I didn’t know that the races in Poland were so great. The atmosphere at the finish line was absolutely crazy. The first part of the bike course was not easy for me, but I really enjoyed the second part.
Maximilian Sperl – winner of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia
Robert WILKU Wilkowiecki made a very strong start to the race in Gdynia and remained among the leaders throughout. Going into the final run leg, there was still hope that he could close the gap to the German triathlete and fight for the win. However, his body did not cooperate with him today, and the Polish athlete eventually finished just outside the podium.
I missed third place by just a few centimetres, but I was far from the win today. It was a very tough day. Without the support of the crowd, it would probably have been difficult for me to reach the finish line at all. When you feel good, it is easy to push your body. But I am still feeling the effects of an injury from a few weeks ago.
Robert WILKU Wilkowiecki – Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia athlete, 4th place
Agnieszka Gadomska caused a big surprise today, winning the PRO women’s category for the first time in her career. The athlete from Zielona Góra is in very good form this season and is preparing for her next triathlon races. In Gdynia, just moments after crossing the finish line, she could not hold back tears of joy.
I felt good today. I am so happy. To win in Poland with all these supporters around is something amazing. On the beautiful bike course, the fans were shouting “Go Aga!” and that gave me extra energy. It was the best bike course I have ever raced on.
Agnieszka Gadomska – women’s winner of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia
One of the surprises during the return of the “M-Dot” triathlon after a one-year break was the absence of… Damian Bąbol at the finish line. The charismatic commentator of all IRONMAN Poland events swapped his microphone for… a swim cap, a bike and running shoes. His debut in an IRONMAN event can certainly be considered a success. He completed the course in 6 hours, 33 minutes and 13 seconds.
Greetings to my family and everyone who supported me. I am very happy. Now I know how the athletes I usually welcome at the finish line feel. A big thank you to all the volunteers. Gdynia, I love you!
Damian BOMBI Bąbol – IRONMAN Poland commentator and Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia athlete
Mateusz remains unbeaten
The triathlon weekend in Gdynia kicked off on Friday with the Night Run, a 5 km race held after dark. More than 800 runners lined up at the start, facing not only their rivals but also… heavy rain. Just before the starting signal, the rain began to pour. However, it had absolutely no impact on the competition or the winner’s performance. He needed just 14 minutes and 43 seconds to complete the 5 km course. The winner was Mateusz Lipiński from Mana Lake Team. The athlete from the Wielkopolska region repeated his success from Warsaw, where he also won the Night Run.
It was tough today and the conditions were not easy, but I made it. Now my next goal is Kraków and the Good Morning Run. I already know that the competition will be stronger there. But we’re just enjoying the running.
Mateusz Lipiński – winner of Night Run Gdynia
Among the women, Zuzanna Głombiowska was the first to cross the finish line in Gdynia’s 5 km race. Representing Runpassion.pl TEAM, she completed the course in 0:18:22.
The conditions were quite good. It was raining a little, but that was not a problem. It was windy, but the wind also pushed me forward. It was fantastic.
Zuzanna Głombiowska – women’s winner of Night Run Gdynia
Those Who Swim and Run
Saturday belonged to the kids. Gdynia is the only event where young athletes compete in an aquathlon during the triathlon weekend, combining swimming and running. A total of 130 athletes took part across five age categories. The youngest children racing by the Baltic Sea were just 5 years old, while the oldest were 15. The distances varied depending on age, starting with a 50-metre swim and a 100-metre run, and going up to a 400-metre swim followed by a 2-kilometre run.
The next race in the world’s most famous triathlon series will take place in less than two weeks. This time, athletes will compete at Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Kraków. The race weekend in Kraków will begin on 31 July.
ENEA is the title sponsor of the IRONMAN Poland series. The City of Gdynia is the strategic partner of Enea IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia. The Pomeranian Voivodeship Government is an event partner. Other sponsors and partners of the event include: Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, drWitt, Qemetica, Sportano.pl, Enterprise, Pho3nix, Cisowianka, Czanieckie Makarony, Wessper, Medical Sport, Arcyksiążęcy Browar Zamkowy Cieszyn, Shimano, Medical Sport and 226ers.
