Ironman Turkey 70.3 – 2024
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of competition and the camaraderie of teamwork, especially when shared in a breath-taking location. This was the essence of our experience at Ironman Turkey 70.3 in Belek, where we came together as a relay team to face the challenges of the race.
Our relay team composed of Nastya Vasyeva (swimmer), myself, Nadezhda Pavlova (cyclist), and Maria Malisheva (runner), were ready for the adventure that lay ahead. Our journey to Belek was a last-minute decision, initiated by Nastya’s invitation about a month before the race. Initially, we had our sights set on the Barcelona Triathlon Challenge , but Nastya’s partner and her friends decided to compete in Turkey, and we quickly shifted our plans.
The stunning Mediterranean coast, the vibrant atmosphere and Turkish hospitality made it an easy choice. And it was a great decision, as on the race day in Barcelona the weather condition was awful, with flooding, strong winds, and even elimination of the swim course. The weather forced it to transform the event format into a duathlon, consisting of just a bike and run.
On race day, everything fell into place perfectly, and we were excited for the fun day ahead. Nastya kicked off the race with her swim leg. Despite slightly rough waters, she completed the 1.9 km swim two loops with an Australian exit in an impressive 29 minutes. After passing the timing chip to me, I jumped on my bike. The bike course was flat, consisting of two loops totalling 90 km, and I finished my segment in 2 hours and 21 minutes.
Though I didn’t train much, I felt that I still have some strength in my legs from the summer rides in the Dolomites and Pyrenees, (I destroyed my Trek Bike during la Reine female only Granfondo in Gstaad, Switzerland, and hadn’t been putting in many miles after) but the thrill of the race kept me motivated. As I wrapped up my biking leg, Masha was ready to take on the run.
The run course was absolutely beautiful, leading through the “Land of Legends” and alongside a picturesque Venetian channel. We cheered for fellow competitors while keeping track of Masha on the Ironman app. In a funny twist, we nearly missed her at the finish line, but she quickly joined us for a second crossing together and we ran the red carpet moment together raising our hands for the perfect finish photo! Our total time was 4:22 minutes, earning us first place among the female relay teams and surpassing the first women in the individual timing by just a second! Post-race, we celebrated our victory at a beautiful Greek restaurant, enjoying pitas, Greek salads, and traditional dances with the plates breaking.
We stayed at the Gloria Sports Arena https://www.gloriasportsarena.com.tr, where champions train, could not be a better choice for athletes. The hotel has both indoor and outdoor pools, a well-equipped gym, healthy and delicious food ( it was challenging not to gain weight especially with the delicious Turkey delights, pistachio baklava and rose water lokum), and views of the running track -a paradise! We also enjoyed the unique experience of a crío sauna for recovery at -108 degrees! (I´m from Siberia and it was easy for me to stay the maximum time allowed for 3 minutes) challenge.
Reflecting on the event, I found the organization of the race to be significantly improved compared to my first experience in 2014. Celebrating the 10 anniversary of the race made it even more special. Ironman Turkey 70.3 was an unforgettable experience filled with teamwork, fun, and triumph. I wholeheartedly recommend this race to anyone seeking a rewarding triathlon challenge.
