Kristian Blummenfelt and Marjolaine Pierré Dominate IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence 2025: Complete Results and Analysis

Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt and local favorite Marjolaine Pierré of France delivered stellar performances to claim victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The event, a prestigious stop on the IRONMAN Pro Series offering $50,000 in prize money and 2,500 Pro Series points, saw Blummenfelt showcase his tactical brilliance while Pierré thrilled the home crowd with a commanding wire-to-wire win on a course she knows intimately.

Key Highlights

• Men’s Champion: Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) – 3:41:08
• Women’s Champion: Marjolaine Pierré (FRA) – 4:11:57
• Tactical Excellence: Blummenfelt perfectly timed his winning move in the final 7km of the run
• Home Victory: Pierré dominated from early on the bike leg, establishing a lead she never relinquished
• World Championship Qualification: The event offered three qualifying spots per gender for the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain
• Competitive Field: Nearly 100 professional triathletes from over 50 countries competed among 2,400+ total participants

Elite Men’s Race: Blummenfelt’s Perfect Execution

The men’s race began at 7:00 a.m. CEST in the clear waters of Lac de Peyrolles, with Germany’s Jonas Schomburg and France’s Mattéo Bringer emerging from the swim first. A sizeable pack, including both Blummenfelt and his compatriot Casper Stornes, followed closely behind.

The challenging bike course through the picturesque Pays d’Aix and around Montagne Sainte-Victoire saw defending champion Ruben Zepuntke (GER) take control, building an impressive two-minute lead by the time he reached T2. Blummenfelt entered transition in fourth position, 2:23 behind the leader, but appeared unfazed by the deficit.

“The bike course was fun but challenging, especially with the dynamics of about 15 guys being up there,” Blummenfelt noted after the race. “I knew I needed to stay patient.”

That patience paid dividends as the Norwegian methodically began closing the gap on the run. By the halfway point of the 21.1km course through Aix-en-Provence’s historic center, a three-way battle had emerged between Blummenfelt, Stornes, and local favorite Simon Vlain (FRA).

With 7km remaining, Blummenfelt made his decisive move, pulling away from his competitors with a display of pure running strength. He crossed the finish line at the iconic La Rotonde fountain in 3:41:08, securing victory with a 32-second margin over Stornes. Vlain claimed the final podium spot a further 46 seconds back.

“I felt strong throughout the whole day and felt super comfortable starting the run,” said Blummenfelt. “I was planning to go in the last five or six K—it was just about waiting for the right moment.”

IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence 2025 Men’s Top 5 Results

Rank	Athlete	Country	Total Time	Swim	Bike	Run
1	Kristian Blummenfelt	NOR	3:41:08	22:45	2:06:26	1:07:12
2	Casper Stornes	NOR	3:41:39	22:36	2:06:28	1:07:17
3	Simon Vlain	FRA	3:42:26	22:40	2:06:35	1:08:33
4	Sam Dickinson	GBR	3:42:42	22:33	2:06:48	1:08:47
5	Pierre Le Corre	FRA	3:43:04	22:35	2:08:33	1:07:18

Elite Women’s Race: Marjolaine Pierré’s Triumphant Homecoming

The women’s race, which began at 7:02 a.m., quickly developed into a showcase for local favorite Marjolaine Pierré. Having studied in Aix-en-Provence and begun her professional career in the region, Pierré seemed determined to deliver something special for the enthusiastic home crowd.

After emerging from the swim with a solid performance (26:37), Pierré made her move early on the bike course. Her intimate knowledge of the local terrain proved invaluable as she systematically built a commanding lead over her competitors. By the time she reached T2, Pierré had established a 1:45 advantage over Great Britain’s Lizzie Rayner.

The French star showed no signs of relinquishing her lead on the run, maintaining a steady pace through Aix-en-Provence’s streets and the scenic Parc de la Torse. Pierré crossed the finish line in 4:11:57, nearly three minutes ahead of Rayner, who claimed second place. Germany’s Lena Meißner rounded out the podium in third.

This victory marked Pierré’s first since IRONMAN Portugal in late 2023, making it all the more special on home soil with thousands of spectators cheering her name along the course.

IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence 2025 Women’s Top 5 Results

Rank	Athlete	Country	Total Time	Swim	Bike	Run
1	Marjolaine Pierré	FRA	4:11:57	26:37	2:21:11	1:18:51
2	Lizzie Rayner	GBR	4:14:56	25:05	2:24:48	1:19:54
3	Lena Meißner	GER	4:15:48	25:00	2:24:48	1:20:50
4	Marta Sanchez	ESP	4:16:30	25:02	2:24:44	1:21:18
5	Nikki Bartlett	GBR	4:18:09	28:43	2:26:05	1:17:54

IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence 2025 Course Highlights and Conditions

The 2025 edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence featured the event’s signature challenging yet beautiful course:

• Swim: A single 1.9km lap in the clear waters of Lac de Peyrolles, with water temperatures around 16°C (61°F), making wetsuits optional but widely used.
• Bike: A demanding 90km route featuring 1,184m of elevation gain through the picturesque Provençal countryside. The course, which prohibited disc wheels due to potential winds, tested athletes with technical segments around Mont Sainte-Victoire.
• Run: A three-lap 21.1km course through Aix-en-Provence’s historic center and Parc de la Torse, culminating in the spectacular finish at La Rotonde fountain.

Race day conditions were ideal for late spring in Provence, with temperatures ranging from 13°C (56°F) in the morning to a high of 22°C (72°F) by midday. Light winds affected portions of the bike course but didn’t significantly impact overall performance.

Amateur Race and Atmosphere

Beyond the professional competition, approximately 2,400 age-group athletes from over 50 countries participated in the event, with the first wave starting at 7:10 a.m. According to race organizers, about 84% of participants were first-time competitors at this event, creating an enthusiastic and supportive atmosphere throughout the day.

The finish area at La Rotonde fountain in central Aix-en-Provence buzzed with energy as thousands of spectators lined the streets to cheer on both elite and amateur athletes. The vibrant atmosphere, combined with the stunning backdrop of Provençal architecture, cemented the event’s reputation as one of the most scenic and well-supported races on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit.

Post-race amenities included food, massages, and a celebratory environment for all finishers, who received distinctive medals and finisher T-shirts commemorating their achievement.

Looking Ahead for IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence 2026

IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence continues to strengthen its position as a premier event on the European triathlon calendar, combining challenging terrain with the cultural richness of Provence. The strong performances by Blummenfelt and Pierré will be closely watched as the IRONMAN Pro Series progresses toward the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain.

For athletes considering participation in future editions, the race offers a perfect blend of challenge and beauty, with strong organizational support and the unforgettable experience of finishing in one of France’s most charming cities. Registration information for the 2026 edition is expected to be announced in the coming months on the official IRONMAN website.

Note: All results and race information are official as reported by IRONMAN