Sarah Dutouron, it’s the rise of a champion at the heart of the Ironman World Cup Licensed with the Montalban Triathlon Club (TCM), Sarah recently set off on the beach in Nice. This 36-year-old athlete, already recognized for her performances in trail running and cycling, was going to experience an unforgettable day. From dawn, the Promenade des Anglais came alive with contagious excitement. Sarah, surrounded by her loved ones, and her fellow triathletes from Montauban, drew strength and serenity from their looks filled with pride. At 7:25 a.m., the cannon sounded. Sarah plunged into a Mediterranean slightly choppy by the swell. “Swimming is not my favorite discipline but in the waters of Nice, the 3.8 km goes well!”, she explained later. After 1 hour 28 minutes of swimming, Sarah came out of the water, greeted by encouragement from the crowd: “A good boost of energy for the rest!” On the cycle course, Sarah set off into the Nice hinterland with determination. Ascent in particular of the Col de Vence, and the Ecre, for a total of 180 km and 2,500 m of positive altitude difference. “On such a long course, you have to find your rhythm and manage your diet well. You inevitably have down times, you have to know yourself and know that things will get better a little further on. The human body has so many resources!” , she indicated. A little wind invites itself to the party, then it’s the descent towards the seaside. Back on the Promenade des Anglais, Sarah began the final marathon with enthusiasm.
437th female, out of 1384 on the starting line
Despite the fatigue, she maintained a steady pace, greeting her competitors and exchanging smiles with the audience. “The atmosphere was incredible!” she says. The last kilometers were intense, but Sarah remained focused on her goal, motivated by the encouragement of those close to her at each passage. After 12 hours 33 minutes of effort, Sarah crossed the finish line, overwhelmed by emotion. She finished 437th in the general classification (out of 1,384 women at the start), a remarkable performance for her first participation in an Ironman World Championship. Surrounded by her family and friends, Sarah savored this unique moment. “This race is the culmination of years of training and competitions. It’s a source of pride to represent my club, and my region, at this level,” she declared, beaming. Sarah Dutouron’s adventure at the 2024 Ironman World Championship is now part of her already impressive track record, testifying to her versatility and her ability to take on new challenges. His journey inspires, and reminds us that high-level sport is also a human adventure made of sharing and surpassing oneself.
