Brazilian triathlete Manoel Messias made history at Ironman Brazil 2025, becoming the first athlete ever to run a sub-2:30 marathon in an Ironman triathlon. His incredible 2:26:50 marathon split has redefined what’s possible in endurance sports and shattered barriers that experts once thought insurmountable.
The Historic Record-Breaking Performance
On a memorable day in Florianópolis in June 2025, Messias didn’t just break the Ironman marathon record – he obliterated it. His 2:26:50 marathon time demolished the previous record of 2:30:27, set by Patrick Lange at Challenge Roth in 2023, by an astounding 3 minutes and 37 seconds.
Complete Race Breakdown: Ironman Brazil 2025 Results
Manoel Messias – 2nd Place Overall (7:37:11)
- Swim Split: 49:00
- Bike Split: 4:16:18
- Marathon Split: 2:26:50 (NEW WORLD RECORD)
- Overall Position: 2nd place
Despite recording the fastest marathon in Ironman history, Messias finished second overall to Argentina’s Luciano Taccone (7:31:46), whose superior bike split of 4:00:09 gave him the overall victory.
Marathon Split Analysis: How Messias Achieved the Impossible
The Brazilian’s marathon performance was nothing short of extraordinary, maintaining a blistering pace that would be impressive in a standalone marathon, let alone after a 3.8km swim and 180km bike ride.
Detailed Marathon Splits and Pacing Strategy
Messias maintained remarkable consistency throughout the 42.2km run:
- Average Pace: 3:29 per kilometer (5:36 per mile)
- 3K Split: 10:02 (3:09/km pace)
- 9K Split: 31:52 (3:33/km pace)
- 13K Split: 44:55 (3:24/km pace)
- 19K Split: 1:06:42 (3:32/km pace)
- 23K Split: 1:19:34 (3:20/km pace)
- 29K Split: 1:41:38 (3:35/km pace)
- 33K Split: 1:54:41 (3:24/km pace)
- 39K Split: 2:17:13 (3:39/km pace)
- Finish: 2:26:50 (3:29/km average)
The splits reveal a masterful pacing strategy, with Messias starting conservatively before finding his rhythm and maintaining sub-3:40/km pace for the majority of the race.
Who is Manoel Messias? From Junior Champion to Record Holder
Born in 1996, Manoel Messias has been a rising star in Brazilian triathlon for nearly a decade. His athletic achievements include:
- 2015 Junior World Champion
- Olympic competitor (45th place, Paris 2024)
- Multiple World Triathlon podium finishes
- Ironman Brazil 2025 marathon world record holder
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Ironman Brazil 2025 marked Messias’s debut at the full Ironman distance, proving that his transition from short-course to long-distance triathlon has been seamless.
The Technology Behind the Record: Puma FAST-R Nitro Elite 3
Messias’s record-breaking performance wasn’t achieved in ordinary running shoes. He wore the Puma FAST-R Nitro Elite 3, a carbon-plated super shoe that has been shown to improve running economy by over 3% compared to top-tier competitors.
This technological advantage, combined with Messias’s natural talent and preparation, contributed to his historic sub-2:30 marathon performance in an Ironman event.
Course Conditions and Legitimacy
The Ironman Brazil marathon course in Florianópolis provided ideal conditions for record-breaking:
- Certified accurate course: 4 laps of approximately 10.5km each
- Favorable weather conditions: No exceptional tailwinds or unusual factors
- Established reputation: The event has a long-standing reputation for accurate measurement and legitimacy
These factors ensure that Messias’s record will stand as a legitimate benchmark for future Ironman marathon performances.
Impact on Ironman Triathlon and Future Performances
Messias’s sub-2:30 marathon has sent shockwaves through the triathlon community and raised several important questions:
Redefining Ironman Marathon Expectations
The Brazilian’s performance has effectively moved the goalposts for what’s considered possible in Ironman racing. Where sub-2:30 was once thought nearly impossible, Messias has shown that with the right combination of talent, technology, and preparation, even faster times may be achievable.
Comparison to Competition
The gap between Messias and his competitors was staggering:
- 11 minutes faster than winner Luciano Taccone’s marathon (2:37:25)
- 20 minutes faster than third-place Federico Scarabino’s marathon (2:46:16)
This performance gap suggests that Messias may have tapped into a new level of marathon performance that other athletes will now strive to match.
Complete Ironman Brazil 2025 Podium Results
Men’s Overall Results:
- Luciano Taccone (Argentina) – 7:31:46
- Swim: 49:11 | Bike: 4:00:09 | Run: 2:37:25
- Manoel Messias (Brazil) – 7:37:11
- Swim: 49:00 | Bike: 4:16:18 | Run: 2:26:50 (WORLD RECORD)
- Federico Scarabino (Uruguay) – 7:52:47
- Swim: 49:01 | Bike: 4:12:49 | Run: 2:46:16
The Future of Ironman Marathon Performance
Messias’s historic achievement raises fascinating questions about the future of Ironman racing:
- Will other athletes now target sub-2:30 marathon splits?
- How will advances in shoe technology continue to impact performance?
- Could we see a sub-2:25 marathon in an Ironman within the next decade?
Conclusion: A New Era for Ironman Racing
Manoel Messias’s 2:26:50 marathon at Ironman Brazil 2025 represents more than just a new record – it’s a paradigm shift that will influence how athletes approach long-distance triathlon racing for years to come. His debut Ironman performance has not only broken barriers but has also inspired a new generation of triathletes to dream bigger and aim higher.
As the sport continues to evolve with technological advances and improved training methods, Messias’s sub-2:30 marathon serves as proof that human potential in endurance sports continues to be redefined. The Brazilian’s historic performance in Florianópolis will undoubtedly be remembered as the moment when Ironman marathon racing entered a new era.
