A record setting day in Florida

So how stiff was the competition in Panama City Beach for Ford Ironman Florida today? Sara Gross went fast enough to have won every one of the previous eight events here. Unfortunately for the Canadian, six other women went even faster, including Nina Kraft, who won in 9:05:35.

Sergio Marques ran a 2:46 marathon to complete the race in 8:23:49. Despite his stellar performance, Marques couldn't catch up to Germany's Stephan Vuckovic, who claimed his first Ironman title in an impressive 8:21:29, which set the course record here by a whopping one second. Read the story »

Older Stories

International Men's Field to Contest Ford Ironman Florida

The men's field at the 2007 Ford Ironman Florida will have an international flavor as the ninth annual event takes place on Saturday November 3rd in Panama City Beach. Among the contenders will be Bryan Rhodes of New Zealand, German Stephan Vuckovic, Stephen Bayliss of Great Britain and American Paul Fritsche. More than 70 male professionals will start the race. Read the story »

Four time Champion Comerford to race at Ford Ironman Florida

Bella Comerford of Scotland has dominated the women's race at the Ford Ironman Florida over the past six years. Comerford's win in 2006 gave her a total of four titles here at the Panama City Beach event. In addition, the 30 year-old claimed the women's title at Ford Ironman Florida in 2002 and at the 2003 race posted a career best time of nine hours, 26 minutes and 17 seconds to claim the victory. Comerford also finished second at the 2004 Ford Ironman Florida. Comerford will face a strong challenge from German athletes Katja Schumacher and Nina Kraft. Read the story »

A Tough Decision Pays Off For Vance

Two roads diverged in a wood/ And I took the one less traveled by/ Read the story »

Another win for Comerford, an incredible debut for Raphael

Scotland's Bella Comerford once again managed to get to the line ahead of the rest of her competition here in Panama City Beach today, taking the lead by mile three of the marathon and never looking back as she claimed her fourth Ford Ironman Florida title. Read the story »

An impressive debut

Until today, the highlight of Jan Raphael's triathlon career was a runner-up finish at the World Student Games in 2004. Other than that impressive performance, the rest of Raphael's career included a number of good finishes at World Cup events, but never anything that impressed the coaches of the national team. Read the story »

Bella Comerford wins again!

How much does Bella Comerford like Panama City Beach? The easy answer to that question is simple: a lot. For the fifth year in a row Comerford has come to Ford Ironman Florida, and for the fourth time she's won. The only time she hasn't won here was in 2004, when it took no-less-an-athlete than recent Ford Ironman World Champion Michellie Jones to get to the line ahead of her. Read the story »

Three-Time Champion Comerford To Race Ford Ironman Florida

Bella Comerford of Scotland has dominated the women's race at the Ford Ironman Florida over the past five years. Comerford's win in 2005 gave her a total of three titles at the Panama City Beach event including her wins in 2002 and 2003. The 29-year-old posted a career best time of nine hours, 26 minutes and 17 seconds to claim her second title, and followed that up with a second place finish to Michellie Jones in 2004. Read the story »

A Stacked Men's Field At Ford Ironman Florida

Lothar Leder of Germany and South African Raynard Tissink will lead the men's field into the eighth annual Ford Ironman Florida scheduled to take place November 4, 2006 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Read the story »

About the Race

Qualifier for Ford Ironman World Championship Since it comes just weeks after the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii, one would think that Ford Ironman Florida would offer a relatively easy opportunity to qualify for the next year's "big show" in Kona. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Ford Ironman Florida is typically one of the most competitive age-group races of the year. Add to that an impressive pro field, and you have the makings for one very exciting event!

The swim takes place in the Gulf of Mexico. The water is warm enough for a comfortable swim, but cool enough to allow wetsuits -- every triathletes dream.

The flat and fast bike course offers a perfect opportunity for a big-time personal best. The run passes through one of America's most popular state parks.

Just as it is on the bike, the Ironman Florida run course is flat, and, in theory, fast. The run starts with a mile along the beachfront before winding its way through a series of residential neighborhoods. During this part of the course, the athletes enjoy almost non-stop support as people wait outside their houses to greet them.

Available Now from IronmanDVD

2007 Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 DVD
Relive the November 10, 2007 race with this DVD. Watch as Andy Potts, a highly decorated athlete with short-course success, sprinted to a first place 3:42:33 finish, while Australia�s Mirinda Carfrae broke the course record and claimed victory finishing at 4:07:25. In addition to the competitive professional field, more than 1,400 other triathletes ranging from 19 to 82 years old crossed the finish line, including Mark Rothbaum, manager of country music legend Willie Nelson, and Stacey Junio, who celebrated her recent weight loss in preparation for the event. $34.95 Available now.