Stirling alumnus claims historic result at Ironman World Championships

A former University of Stirling student has made history at the 2017 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, this past week.

David McNamee powered his way through a field of the world’s top long-distance triathletes to claim a historic third place. It is the first time a British male athlete has been on the podium at Ironman World Championships since the event began in 1978. The previous best result by a British male was fifth in 1998, achieved by Spencer Smith.

The accountancy graduate covered the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile course in hot and humid conditions, in 8 hours 7 minutes and 11 seconds. David’s result is all the more remarkable given that only six men have ever completed the event in a quicker time during its 40-year history.

The weekend’s result is the latest and greatest in a growing list of achievements by the 29-year-old from Ayrshire. During his time studying at Stirling, David trained at the triathlonscotland Performance Centre on campus, and was supported by the University’s International Sports Scholarship Programme as well as the national Winning Students initiative.

He represented Scotland at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, finishing seventh, before making the decision to race long-distance. That decision increasingly looks to have been a very good one as he has won several events and is now counted among the world’s best long-distance triathletes.