The 2025 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, proved once again why it stands as the ultimate test in endurance sports. The race, held over October 11-12, 2025, delivered a blend of triumph, resilience, and raw emotion, as both seasoned veterans and first-timers faced the island’s notorious challenges. From surprise pregnancies to comeback stories and rookie lessons, this year’s event offered up more than just finish times—it offered stories that will resonate far beyond the finish line.
German triathlete Anne Reischmann entered the iconic race with a secret that would soon captivate the triathlon world. Just weeks before the championship, Reischmann discovered she was pregnant. Far from derailing her plans, the news reshaped her outlook on the event. In a heartfelt Instagram post before the race, she shared, “A couple of weeks ago my road to Kona took an unexpected turn: during my preparations for the World Championships, I found out that I’m pregnant. Joel and I are very happy about this wonderful surprise.”
Reischmann, who had already secured a major victory at IRONMAN South Africa earlier in the season and sits comfortably in the world’s top 30, made it clear that her approach to Kona would be different. “As you can imagine my plans and goals for Kona have changed all of a sudden. Luckily, I have been feeling good and powerful on most days and I have continued training. I’m not in peak shape, but together with my team and my doctor, I have decided to start the World Championships. For me it’s not a ‘race’, I won’t be chasing Ironman Pro Series points or a ranking and I won’t be racing with my usual ambitions and determination. There’s also a good chance I step off the course and I’m prepared to dnf, if I should start to feel unwell. I see it now more as an event, I have been dreaming for years to take part and I’m so happy I’ll get to do that today,” she wrote.
Despite the uncertainty, Reischmann not only started but finished the grueling race, crossing the line in 9:30:30 for 31st place. The moment was made even more special when IRONMAN Group CEO Scott DeRue greeted her at the finish and presented her with a baby onesie—a gesture that underscored the unique journey she had just completed.
But Reischmann wasn’t the only athlete with a remarkable story at this year’s championship. Holly Lawrence, the US-based British triathlete and former 70.3 World Champion, also found herself at a crossroads of personal and athletic achievement. Just a year after giving birth to her first child, Lawrence tackled her first full-distance IRONMAN in Lake Placid in July and then lined up for her debut at Kona. She delivered a stunning performance, finishing sixth in 8:52:40, and was met at the finish by her husband, Sean, and their one-year-old daughter, Poppy.
Lawrence, who had raced while pregnant at T100 Miami last year, finishing third, was candid about her emotions after the race. “The finish line emotion said it all,” she wrote on Instagram. “Moved by all the cheers yesterday and the spirit of the girls racing. Proud of how I managed myself to finish 6th at my first IM WC Kona and second Ironman. Still a lot to learn over this distance, huge respect to the girls upfront and those that put it all on the line and came up short – truly inspiring. Thanks for the love and support.”
While Reischmann and Lawrence’s stories highlighted the intersection of family and athletic ambition, the race also served as a crucible for competitors at different stages of their IRONMAN journeys. Kona rookie Jenny Zinchuk and three-time finisher Marisa Rastetter faced the same punishing conditions—crosswinds, heat, and the psychological grind that defines the Big Island—but their experiences revealed how resilience and experience shape the outcome.
Zinchuk’s first Kona was a masterclass in adaptation. Starting her swim at 7:10 a.m. in the W40-44 age group, she was immediately thrust into rough, crowded waters. She admitted to being boxed in near the buoys, which set an early mental challenge. Her bike ride, though steady, was slightly below her target power, a reflection of the energy spent battling unpredictable winds. The run, typically her strength, became a test of survival as she fought dizziness and nausea on the Queen K. She walked every aid station, relying on bananas and Coke to steady herself, but never quit. Her marathon time of 3:53 was a testament to grit, not just fitness.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Zinchuk shared her key takeaway: “Don’t let the island determine your race.” Despite starting race week with a fever and little sleep, she pushed through, saying, “do what I can with what I’ve got.” That rookie determination was on full display as she finished strong, learning lessons in heat management and mid-race problem-solving that will serve her well in future attempts.
Meanwhile, Marisa Rastetter, competing in the W50-54 age group, brought a veteran’s perspective to the day. Her swim, which started at 7:20 a.m., was steady, and though she faced right-hip-flexor pain on the bike, she managed her effort at 70% normalized power—lower than planned but sustainable. As soon as she hit the run, the pain disappeared, and her experience paid off with near-identical splits for the marathon halves: 1:56 and 1:57. Her heart rate averaged a conservative 126 beats per minute, proof that she had more to give but wisely chose restraint. Rastetter finished 11th in her age group, feeling strong and steady despite a compressed taper due to illness and life stress leading up to the race.
The two athletes even shared a brief moment together near mile 21, with Rastetter catching up to Zinchuk before pushing ahead in pursuit of a top-10 finish. Their shared struggle highlighted the unpredictable nature of Kona, where even the best-laid plans can be upended by the island’s unique demands.
The 2025 IRONMAN World Championship was a showcase of not just physical prowess, but also the emotional and psychological resilience that defines the sport. Whether it was Reischmann’s joyful acceptance of a new chapter, Lawrence’s powerful comeback, Zinchuk’s rookie perseverance, or Rastetter’s measured execution, each athlete left Kona with lessons and memories that transcend time and place.
In the end, the Big Island reminded everyone that finishing in Kona isn’t just about crossing a line—it’s about transformation. Every competitor, from the world’s elite to the determined age-grouper, faced their own version of the island’s challenge. And for those who made it to the end, the journey itself was the true reward.
