The Welsh coastal city of Swansea is preparing to welcome a strong field of professional triathletes on Sunday, July 13, as nearly 60 pros line up for the first time at Ironman 70.3 Swansea. The race marks the 12th stop in the 2025 Ironman Pro Series and is set to play a key role in shaping the season standings.
The race offers up to 2,500 points toward the Ironman Pro Series leaderboard, a $50,000 prize purse, and two qualification slots per gender for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France.
Women’s Race: Matthews, Reischmann, Bartlett Among Headliners
Leading the women’s field is reigning Pro Series champion Kat Matthews (GBR), who has had a standout season so far with podium finishes in Texas and Hamburg. Currently sitting second in the standings, Matthews will be looking to overtake current leader Anne Reischmann (GER), who secured her early advantage with a win in South Africa.
Defending Swansea champion Nikki Bartlett (GBR) returns wearing bib number one. Bartlett, who also finished fifth at the 2024 Ironman World Championship in Nice, will be aiming to repeat last year’s triumph in front of a home crowd.
Another key contender is Daniela Kleiser (GER), one of the fastest runners in the women’s middle-distance circuit. Kleiser comes into the race with a win at Ironman 70.3 Valencia and top-four finishes in two Pro Series events already this year.
Also on the start list is Hanne de Vet (BEL), making her season debut at the 70.3 distance after multiple podiums last year. Britain’s Lizzie Rayner, fresh off a second-place finish at Ironman 70.3 Aix-en-Provence, adds to the depth of local talent, joined by compatriots Megan McDonald, Laura Addie, and Lydia Dant.
Men’s Race: Palmer Defends, Ditlev and Chevalier Arrive in Force
Harry Palmer (GBR) returns to Swansea as the defending champion and will be hoping to repeat his 2024 success. Since then, Palmer has shown consistency, including an eighth-place finish at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupō.
However, standing in his way is one of the biggest names in the sport – Magnus Ditlev (DEN), a two-time Ironman World Championship podium finisher and this year’s Ironman African champion. Ditlev comes into Swansea just a week removed from racing in Frankfurt, which could be a factor in his performance.
Another major contender is Leon Chevalier (FRA), who finished fourth at last year’s Ironman World Championship and is looking to climb the Pro Series rankings from his current 18th position.
Cameron Wurf (AUS) continues his packed 2025 campaign with his seventh Pro Series race of the season and currently holds second place in the overall standings.
British hopes don’t rest with Palmer alone. Sam Dickinson, Kieran Lindars, and Matthew Collins—who had a breakthrough race at Eagleman—are all in the mix. France’s Simon Viain will also be looking to make his mark.
Full start lists here:
