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Six Human Interest Group Sports (HIG's) athlete clients stormed the podiums at four IRONMAN races held this past weekend.

Ben Hoffman retained the IRONMAN African Championship title, Mauricio Mendez won IRONMAN 70.3 Texas, and Tim Don and Radka Kahlefeldt took first and second places at IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou. Ellie Salthouse and Heather Wurtele claimed second and third places at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside.

“With eight athletes finishing in the top ten, six of those the podium and three at the top, it was a great weekend,” said the Human Interest Group Sports Director Michael Cardoza. “The season is still new, but this weekend felt like a good forecast of things to come for our amazing crew.”

“Ben’s winning again at IRONMAN Africa with a course record, Tim taking first place at IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou, and Mau blazing past a tough field at IRONMAN 70.3 Texas show that they are all on track for another strong season.”

“Radka, Ellie, and Heather just missed the top spots but had impressive performances that will only improve during the coming months. Hats off too to Rachel Joyce and Trevor Wurtele for their top-ten finishes at Oceanside.”

Ben Hoffman Retains IRONMAN African Championship Title

For the second consecutive year, Ben Hoffman won the IRONMAN African Championship title plus set a course record with a performance under eight hours (7:58:40). The race was the first full IRONMAN-distance competition for Hoffman as he prepares for the IRONMAN World Championship where he placed fourth and was the top American in 2016.

Tim Don Extends Winning Streak with IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou

Tim Don claimed the top spot at the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou, coming two weeks after a win at IRONMAN 70.3 Campeche. Starting with the swim, Don controlled the race to cross the finish line in first place about three minutes ahead of his closest competitor.

Mauricio Mendez Sprints to 1ST IRONMAN 70.3 Victory of Year

At IRONMAN 70.3 Texas, 21-year-old Mauricio Mendez quickly advanced through a competitive field to sprint past his competition on the final mile of the run, earning the day’s victory and fastest run split (1:12:39). Mendez is the current XTERRA World Champion.

Kahlefeldt Adds Another Podium with 2nd at IRONMAN 70.3 Liuzhou

Radka Kahlefeldt stayed in the lead pack of the pro women, including securing the day’s fastest bike split, to finish 30 seconds behind first place. Kahlefeldt took first place at IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay and second at IRONMAN 70.3 Taitung earlier this season.

Salthouse Runs to 2nd Place, Wurtele 3rd at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside

Ellie Salthouse opened her North America race season as the runner-up at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside, while Team Wurtele’s Heather stood on the Oceanside podium for the fifth year in a row thanks to her third-place finish.

Rachel Joyce took seventh and Trevor Wurtele sixth also at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside.