‘Ironman’ Israel Competition Draws 2,500 Competitors

“To have the IRONMAN Israel-Middle East Championship here in Israel … is a true testament of the ability of sport to bring all peoples together,” says businessman Sylvan Adams.

By JNS.org

Patrick Lange of Germany took first place in the IRONMAN Israel-Middle East Championship in Tiberias on Friday, with a personal best time of 07:42:00. In the women’s pro category, Ruth Astle from Great Britain finished first, with a time of 08:41:13.

The event featured two races: a full distance one and a shorter race. The full distance race included a 2.3 mile swim in the Sea of Galilee, a 111-mile bike ride and a 26-mile run.

More than 800 Israeli and 400 international athletes competed in the full-distance race, while 1,500 Israelis and 360 international athletes competed in the shorter one.

Second place in the men’s pro category went to Daniel Bækkegård of Denmark (07:43:40), and third to Gregory Barnaby of Italy (07:47:02). Daniela Bleymehl of Germany placed second in the women’s category (08:50:13), and third went to Barbara Riveros of Australia (08:55:49).

Israel’s senior triathlete, Dan Alterman, finished the full competition in a total time of 08:54:18.

Businessman and philanthropist Sylvan Adams, who helped bring the event to Israel, said, “The friendships built today will last a lifetime. This is just one international sporting event that we are bringing to Israel, and we hope to have many more in the future.”