IRONMAN MALAYSIA ROARS BACK AS GLOBAL STARS AND LOCAL HEROES TRIUMPH IN LANGKAWI
- Fernando Toldi and Regan Hollioake clinch professional titles in epic showdowns
- 1,800 athletes from 51 nations battle in ‘Jewel of Kedah’ spectacle
LANGKAWI, OCTOBER 12: Fernando Toldi and Regan Hollioake triumphed today in the gruelling IRONMAN Malaysia 2024, conquering the challenging course on the picturesque island of Langkawi, the 'Jewel of Kedah'.
Toldi, 37, delivered an extraordinary performance in the professional men’s race, dominating the 3.8km swim, 180km bike, and 42.2km run in an impressive 8:10:23. Despite being his first visit to Malaysia, the Brazilian athlete demonstrated remarkable endurance in the island's demanding tropical conditions.
This marked the second consecutive year professional athletes have returned to Malaysian shores, following last year's edition that ended a four-year hiatus.
The race commenced with a two-loop swim off the white sandy beach of Pantai Kok, followed by a gruelling 180km bike leg. The multi-loop cycling course led competitors from Pantai Kok towards Jalan Teluk Yu, around Datai's rolling hills, and through colourful kampungs, showcasing Langkawi's diverse landscapes and vibrant culture.
Toldi skilfully navigated the winding terrain past Langkawi Falls and along Pantai Kok's coastline before tackling the marathon-length run. The final leg brought athletes past Langkawi International Airport and along Cenang Beach's scenic oceanfront.
After over eight hours of intense competition, Toldi crossed the finish line at Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, epitomising the IRONMAN spirit with his victory.
Tim Van Berkel of Australia secured second place with a time of 8:12:38, followed by Germany’s Andreas Dreitz in third at 8:18:07.
Today's victory came just three months after Toldi secured his breakthrough win at IRONMAN 70.3 Ecuador in July. This success, however, is likely to be one he'll savour more given the intense level of competition. Toldi faced not only sweltering heat but also a highly competitive field.
Toldi reflected on his achievement: "I earned my first win in IRONMAN 70.3 (Ecuador in July) and now I've done it in IRONMAN. I'm so stoked and I'm really happy. I trained so hard for this race, and I put all my energy for this day. I dreamt so much for this day."
He continued, emphasizing the mental and physical challenges:
"This was a tough day. It was very mental. I had to push myself like I never did before and I'm so happy. This win is so important for me and for everybody. It was amazing race, one of the toughest I ever raced in my life."
Highlighting the significance of this particular victory, Toldi added: "This is such a big race with tough contenders and a very big field. It was the most important race of my life and my biggest result, for sure."
In the professional women’s race, Australia’s Hollioake proved equally impressive, finishing with a time of 9:13:07, a remarkable 17 minutes ahead of her closest competitor and compatriot Katie Remond (9:30:00). The third place went to Italy’s Federica De Nicola, who clocked 9:42:05.
Like Toldi, Malaysia proved to be a fruitful hunting ground for rookie professional Hollioake, who clinched victory in her debut appearance here. This latest triumph further enhances the 35-year-old's already impressive season, following her win at IRONMAN Australia in May.
Hollioake described the IRONMAN Malaysia as the "toughest race" she has ever competed in.
Reflecting on her experience, she said: "It's my first time here. I wasn't quite sure how I would do with the heat, but it was as brutal as I expected."
“I've never been to Malaysia and it looked like such a beautiful place to come and visit, which it is. It was combining a bit of a holiday and a race as well. That was probably the toughest race I've ever done. I'm relieved for it to be over, but I'm absolutely thrilled to take the victory. This is my first year as a professional, it's been a really, really big surprise to do so well in my first year, but I'm thrilled to have another win."
The event's global appeal was evident, with 1,800 athletes from 51 countries participating.
Complementing the IRONMAN event, IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi featured a shorter distance of 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and 21.1km run. Toma Alexandru from Romania emerged victorious in the male's race, while Bianca Marcon claimed the top spot in the female competition, both showcasing exceptional speed and endurance.
The event also served as a qualifier for upcoming major championships. 45 Age-Group qualifying slots were awarded for the 2025 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain, on November 8 and 9, 2025, with additional 20 slots reserved for women. A total of 105 Age-Group qualifying slots were allocated for the 2025 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship, with women competing in Kona, Hawaii, on October 11, 2025, and men in Nice, France, on September 14, 2025.
The event featured several exciting side competitions, highlighting IRONMAN Malaysia's commitment to community engagement and inclusivity. The IRONKIDS Langkawi, which attracted over 300 participants, provided a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents across various age groups. The Aquathlon, which consisted of the 100m swim and 1.8km run, attracted young competitors age groups of 7-10 years and 11-15 respectively.
The Community Run offered a 1.8km course for all participants, with children aged 0-6 years completing the distance with parents or guardians, while those aged 7-10 years and older children aged 11-17 ran the route independently. This approach highlighted the event's commitment to inclusivity and shared experience.
Langkawi's growing community engagement has been integral to the event's success. This year, over 1,100 volunteers actively participated, demonstrating the strong commitment and enthusiasm of local residents.
The island continues to excel as a premier sports tourism destination, with athletes' families and friends not only supporting participants but also enjoying Langkawi's attractions. Race week has become a special occasion for quality time, significantly boosting local footfall and revenue, benefiting businesses, accommodations, and services.
Regional Director of IRONMAN Asia, CG Lim, commented: "The performances we witnessed today were truly exceptional. From our pro athletes setting blistering paces to our age-groupers pushing their personal limits, every participant embodied the IRONMAN spirit.
"This event goes beyond racing; it unites people and leaves lasting community impacts. As a major driver of sports tourism, we've seen a remarkable influx of athletes and supporters boosting the local economy, showcasing Langkawi's potential as a world-class destination for endurance sports and tourism. Looking ahead, the growing interest from local and international athletes sets a strong foundation. We're committed to building on this momentum, making IRONMAN Malaysia an even more iconic event in the global calendar.”
2024 IRONMAN Malaysia – Pro Male | ||||
Position | Given name | Family name | Country | Finish time |
1 | Fernando | Toldi | Brazil | 08:10:23 |
2 | Tim | Van Berkel | Australia | 08:12:38 |
3 | Andreas | Dreitz | Germany | 08:18:07 |
2024 IRONMAN Malaysia – Pro Female | ||||
Position | Given name | Family name | Country | Finish time |
1 | Regan | Hollioake | Australia | 09:13:07 |
2 | Katie | Remond | Australia | 09:30:00 |
3 | Feredica | De Nicola | Italy | 09:42:05 |
2024 IRONMAN Malaysia - Best Overall Age Grouper (Provisional) | ||||
Given name | Family name | Gender | Country | Finish time |
Duncan | Bullock | Male | Great Britain | 09:38:51 |
Chelsea | Seymour | Female | Australia | 10:45:52 |
2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi - Best Overall Age GrouperT | ||||
Given name | Family name | Gender | Country | Finish time |
Toma | Alexandru | Male | Romania | 4:17:32 |
Bianca | Marcon | Female | Brazil | 4:56:42 |
About 2024 IRONMAN Malaysia and IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi
Date : 12 October 2024
Venue : Langkawi, Malaysia
About Langkawi:
Located within a cluster of tropical islands that attract visitors the world over, the race will take athletes on a truly Malaysian cultural journey through tropical, hilly and demanding terrain passing traditional kampungs <villages>, mangrove clusters and rainforest vistas.
IRONMAN Malaysia has been accorded with:
1. ATHLETE CHOICE AWARDS - IRONMAN
· Overall Swim Experience (2018)
· Best Post-race Celebration (2018, 2017, 2016)
· Will Attend Next Year (2018, 2017, 2016)
2. 2018 Best Triathlon Races in Asia Awards by AsiaTri.com
The Event Experience:
IRONMAN Malaysia - Swim 3.8km, Bike 180km, Run 42.2km
The ocean swim starts from the picturesque white sandy beach of Pantai Kok with a two-loop triangle out and back course.
The two-loop bike course heads out of Pantai Kok towards Jalan Teluk Yu on a clockwise loop from the Northwest point of the island around the rolling hills of Datai towards the southeastern part of the island. Passing through several local villages ‘Kampungs’, athletes will get a true taste of the colourful sights and sounds and local communities of the island. The aid stations along the bike course are all supported by the local communities in Langkawi.Athletes will enjoy the local wildlife and winding terrain, passing The Langkawi Falls on route to the Datai turnaround. At the end of the 2nd loop, athletes will continue along the coastline of Pantai Kok heading towards Transition (T2).
The run course will showcase the best Malaysia has to offer as athletes pass through the scenic ocean front of Cenang Beach. Athletes will run along the side of the Langkawi International Airport runway. The tropical flat run course brings athletes into the beach front of Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa for their 2 lap run.
VinFast IRONMAN World Championship Qualifying Race - There are 105 qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Women) on 11 October 2024 and in Nice, France (Men) on 14 September 2025.
IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi – Swim 1.9km, Bike 90km, Run 21.1km
The ocean swim starts from the picturesque white sandy beach of Pantai Kok with a triangle out and back course.
The one loop bike course heads out of Pantai Kok towards Jalan Teluk Yu on a clockwise loop from the Northwest point of the island around the rolling hills of Datai towards the southeastern part of the island. Passing through several local villages ‘Kampungs’, athletes will get a true taste of the colourful sights and sounds and local communities of the island. The aid stations along the bike course are all supported by the local communities in Langkawi.Athletes will enjoy the local wildlife and winding terrain, passing The Langkawi Falls on route to the Datai turnaround.
The run course will showcase the best Malaysia has to offer as athletes pass through the scenic ocean front of Cenang Beach. Athletes will run along the side of the Langkawi International Airport runway. The tropical flat run course brings athletes into the beach front of Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa to finish.
VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Qualifying Race - There are 65 qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in in Marbella, Spain on 8 & 9 November 2025
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ <VR™> Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events
including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.