A Race in Paradise: Over 3000 Athletes Serve as Inspiration After Powering Through the Scenic Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns 2025
- Hana Basir
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Amongst Southeast Asians, Singaporeans formed the majority of athletes racing the breathtaking coastal course, with Malaysia following close behind
The Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns 2025 was nothing short of what it’s branded itself to be—a Race in Paradise.
Matthew Marquadt made history as the first ever non-oceania athlete to take the men’s crown in the Cairns IRONMAN Pro Series. The 27-year-old from the United States overcame cramps early on to claim his first ever championship.
“It’s incredibly cool to be the first male professional triathlete from outside of Oceania to win IRONMAN Cairns,” shared Marquadt.
“To be able to put in a good performance and to be a groundbreaker, I guess, in that way is always incredibly meaningful and hopefully an inspiration to everyone else, because that’s really what drives me more than anything else is to be a role model to others and to inspire people to do things that they can do themselves.”
In the women’s pro race, Jackie Hering overcame the odds and made it a double American win. Hering had only made the decision to compete in Cairns within the last week after she did not finish the course at the Qatar Airways IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship in Germany a fortnight ago.
“It feels great to win. This course was so beautiful, it was the best. I just loved it and it was so fun. The swim was not my favourite, it was a little too choppy for me. The ride, minus the wind, was just gorgeous, it was so special. The crowd support on the run was also really great,” shared Hering.
More than 3,000 athletes from over 62 countries descended upon the charming seaside suburb of Palm Cove, ready to take on either the 70.3 or full IRONMAN challenge. As the first light of dawn broke over the Pacific Ocean, they gathered shoulder to shoulder, drawing strength from one another while a member of the Yirrganydji tribe welcomed the day with the call of the didgeridoo.
For some, like Jinella Chua of Singapore, it reminded her of why she loved racing, and why she wanted to complete the race.
“I actually lost a friend recently. I cried throughout the course because I kept thinking of her. So Shing, this one was for you,” shared an emotional Chua after the race.
Serenity quickly gave way to intensity as athletes plunged into the frigid winter waters, a stark reminder of Mother Nature’s unforgiving edge.
“It felt like a washing machine,” laughed Chua. Compatriot and friend Kelvin Cheng even suffered an injury during the swim, but took things into his own hands.
“I popped my shoulder during the swim about 400 meters in. I put it back in and continued swimming so it’s all good!”
As the age-groupers made their way through the unrelenting waters, the pros began toeing the start line. With IRONMAN Cairns being part of the IRONMAN Pro Series, the elite professionals were set to take on the exact same course as the age-groupers—making it a special experience for the latter group of athletes.
Coming out of the swim first in the men’s category was South Africa’s Jamie Riddle, while Kiwi Rebecca Clarke led the women’s charge. American, Matthew Marquadt came out of the choppy waters with both legs seized up, but somehow got on the bike strong—proving his strength.
Amidst the serene backdrop of the Kuranda Forest, the full IRONMAN and 70.3 athletes bade each other goodbye, as those set for their 180km arduous journey on the bike made their u-turns back up north towards Craiglie—and those chasing the half IRONMAN went straight towards Cairns Airport.
One of the most breathtaking bike courses in the IRONMAN circuit, athletes got the unique experience of riding along the completely closed off coastal Captain Cook Highway, offering views of the Great Barrier Reef and several beach lookouts.
“The bike killed me because I had to go against the wind and going uphill! Overall though it was great, the scenery was so nice. The effort you put in was worth the scenery,” shared Malaysian Norazian Abdul Manaf.
“This race, the bike leg was the best one in our experience of racing half IRONMANS. Over the world. You get beaches and the sunrise, it was all beautiful,” added her husband J Iskandar Shah, who also took on the race.
And as if the swim and bike was not grueling enough, athletes then—depending on their distance—took on either a half or full marathon to cap off the IRONMAN race. What kept them going though, was the atmosphere and non-stop cheers offered by the supporters who lined the route.
Across all three legs, locals, friends and family came out in full force, some even coming out of homes and stationing themselves along Captain Cook Highway to urge the athletes on at full voice.
“I have to say that the atmosphere was amazing. During the bike, the run and of course at the finish line, it was superb. My advice is to print your name on your jersey, they’ll cheer and shout your name and that was really motivating,” shared J Iskandar.
“The fact that they sat by the grass along the highway to cheer over 3000 athletes is amazing,” added Norazian.
“The drums, all the kids shouting your name, you had no choice but to run!” shared Cheng.
For Christopher Arong—the only athlete racing under the Filipino flag—it was a race for personal redemption, since he did not finish his previous attempt in New Zealand.
The Filipino did just that and flew across the course, finishing with a remarkable time of 06:10:04. He did however, still feel like he could have done more.
“The race went very well and it was a great day for it. I felt a bit disappointed with my time but still grateful for the opportunity to be able to race and have fun,” said Arong.
Tiong, Chua and Cheng all finished the 70.3 distance within the seventh hour. In the full IRONMAN there were 14 athletes racing under the Singaporean flag.
With it being the June holidays in Singapore, IRONMAN Cairns has proven to be a prime destination for Singaporeans to race, especially since temperatures are just a little cooler than the local climate.
“It may not have been my personal best, but this race is so rewarding. I would definitely come back to IRONMAN Cairns,” said Tiong.
“The location and timing is great so families with kids, you can bring them along and do the race together,” added Cheng.
The next IRONMAN Cairns race is set to take place on 14th June 2026, with registrations set to open in four to six weeks. Interested athletes can, however, register their interest here.
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