Van Coevorden wins Port Macquarie Ironman 70.3 title

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Australian Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden won the Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie event, her fifth long-course triathlon victory this year.

Australian Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden successfully defended her Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie title on Sunday, securing her fifth long-course triathlon win this year. The 33-year-old competed in the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run event, finishing in four hours 16 minutes 40 seconds.

Van Coevorden was first out of the water but trailed going into the run. Compatriot Emily Watts, a former professional cyclist, led by nearly four minutes at that stage. Van Coevorden then mounted a strong comeback on the run, taking the lead with about 5km remaining and ultimately beating Watts by 30 seconds. Fellow Australian Demi Birch completed the podium.

Van Coevorden described her effort as 'fighting some absolute demons', citing tough weather conditions on the bike leg that affected her performance. Despite the challenging conditions and having been four minutes behind heading into the final run, she maintained belief in her ability to catch up. Belgium's Jelle Geens, the 2024 and 2025 Ironman 70.3 world champion, won on debut at the Port Macquarie event on the NSW mid-north coast.

Van Coevorden wins Port Macquarie Ironman 70.3 title — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

'Absolute demons': Aussie Olympian rallies for tri winAustralian Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden has overcome a deficit on the run to win her fifth long-course triathlon this year.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 05:48
'Absolute demons': Aussie Olympian rallies for tri winAustralian Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden has overcome a deficit on the run to win her fifth long-course triathlon this year.Perth Now · 18 Oct, 05:48

In this story: Natalie Van Coevorden · Emily Watts · Demi Birch · Jelle Geens · Port Macquarie · New South Wales

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