Kat Matthews Crowned Inaugural IRONMAN Pro Series Winner

Saturday 14 December 2024
Kat Matthews of Great Britain has gone down in IRONMAN history as the first ever winner of the IRONMAN Pro Series, taking home a bonus payout of $200,000 USD. Jackie Hering (USA) and Lotte Wilms (NLD) complete the IRONMAN Pro Series podium, receiving a bonus payout of $130,000 USD and $85,000 USD respectively. 
 
The VinFast IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship in Taupo served as the series finale of the IRONMAN Pro Series, meaning it was the last chance for professional athletes to score points towards their end of year standings. Matthews went into the race second on the leaderboard with 17,836 points, needing to finish within 34 minutes of the leader in order to gain on Hering and finish atop of the rankings. In the perfect climax to an epic year of racing, Matthews put it all on the line in a quest for VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship victory, coming an impressive second, just 1 minute 15 seconds behind eventual winner, Taylor Knibb.  
 
Hering, who had led the IRONMAN Pro Series since her second place at Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon back in July had already completed her five required races, meaning today’s race was an opportunity to capitalize on the points premium and improve on her lowest scoring IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. While Hering’s 18th place position and 16-minute deficit from the winner at today’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship wasn’t quite enough to improve on her existing score, her incredible season to date, inclusive of four podium finishes and an IRONMAN European Championship title, meant she finished the IRONMAN Pro Series in second place.  
 
Completing the IRONMAN Pro Series women’s podium was Lotte Wilms, whose performance at the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon saw her clock 1,975 points and move up the leaderboard by one place in the final standings. 
 
The top three athletes were presented with their trophies by CEO of The IRONMAN Group, Scott DeRue, during a dedicated IRONMAN Pro Series ceremony following the race in Taupo 
 
At the post-race press conference, Kat Matthews commented: “I’m really proud to finish the year with the goal that we set out at the start and I think...pulling that together with everything else going on has been a real logistical challenge, as well as a physical one. The funding behind it [IRONMAN Pro Series] and our reward, really enables us to travel to places like New Zealand, and do these races properly, with professionalism and considering our health and performance on race day... Hopefully I’ve set a good benchline for the future years of the IRONMAN Pro Series.”  
 
Matthews’ incredible IRONMAN Pro Series season saw her clock five podium finishes, inclusive of victories at Memorial Hermann IRONMAN North American Championship Texas and IRONMAN Vitoria triathlons. At the latter, she dominated the run course, clocking a 2:54:40 marathon for the fastest run of the day, going on to enjoy an eight-minute victory. 
 
An incredible performance at the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship triathlon in Nice, France also saw Matthews earn her second IRONMAN World Championship runner-up spot and earn 5,515 points which moved her up three places in the IRONMAN Pro Series standings to second.  
 
Matthews also came second at the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship Tallinn triathlon, where she pushed hard to chase down Germany’s Caroline Pohle who went wire-to-wire for an impressive victory.  
 
Today’s performance in Taupo was the perfect culmination of Matthews’ year-long triathlon brilliance, unwavering determination and unfaltering consistency, as she sets an unbelievably high bar of performance for future years of the IRONMAN Pro Series. 
 
The top 10 female and male athletes in the series share a prize purse of $1.3 million USD, which is weighted according to ranking. Athletes ranking 11-50 all receive a bonus of $5,000 USD each, with the total prize purse $1.7 million USD. The bonus pay out is in addition to any pro prize money earnt at individual races throughout the season.  
 
Top 10 Female Professional Results – IRONMAN Pro Series 
Place 
Name 
County  
Pro Series Points 
Bonus payoutUSD 
Total payout*USD 
1. 
Kat Matthews 
GBR 
20761 
$200,000 
$363,000 
2. 
Jackie Hering 
USA 
18093 
$130,000 
$190,750 
3. 
Lotte Wilms 
NLD 
17678 
$85,000 
$128,250 
4. 
Hannah Berry 
NZL 
17094 
$70,000 
$120,000 
5. 
Maja Stage Nielsen 
DNK 
15999 
$50,000 
$78,500 
6. 
Danielle Lewis 
USA 
15416 
$40,000 
$75,750 
7. 
Els Visser 
NLD 
15295 
$30,000 
$53,250 
8. 
Daniela Bleymehl 
DEU 
14999 
$20,000 
$38,500 
9. 
Alice Alberts 
USA 
14000 
$15,000 
$32,000 
10. 
Penny Slater 
AUS 
12997 
$10,000 
$44,500 
 
*Inclusive of bonus and 2024 individual IRONMAN Pro Series event prize purses 
 
Following a successful first edition of the IRONMAN Pro Series, the IRONMAN Pro Series will be returning in 2025, and will kick off down under at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong in Victoria, Australia on 23 March 2025 and finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain on 8th – 9th November 2025.??  
 
For more information on the IRONMAN Pro Series, visit proseries.ironman.com
IRONMAN Triathlon (Photo Fiona Murray Getty Images)


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Challenge Sir Bani Yas

Sir Baniyas Island, United Arab Emirates

Kiwiman Xtreme

New Plymouth, New Zealand

Strongman

Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan

Challenge Taiwan

Taitung City, Taiwan, China

Himalayan Xtreme

Pokhara, Nepal

Grizzlyman Xtri

Beskydy, Czech Republic

Mediterranean Epic

Oropesa del Mar, Spain

Pirene Xtreme

Cellers, Lleida, Spain

FrenchMan

Carcans, France

AlpsMan

Annecy, France

Ironman New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

Ironman African Championship

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Ironman Taiwan

Penghu, Taiwan, China

Ironman Texas

The Woodlands, Texas, United States

Ironman Australia

Port Macquarie, Australia

Ironman Lanzarote

Canary Islands, Spain

Ironman Brazil

Florianopolis, Brazil

Ironman Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

Ironman Austria

Klagenfurt, Austria

Ironman Cairns

Cairns, Australia

Challenge Wanaka

Wanaka, New Zealand

Tweed Coast Enduro

Pottsville NSW, Australia

Husky Ultimate

Huskisson, NSW, Australia

Ultra Tri Series

Durban, South Africa

Bayshore 70.4

Long Beach, California, United States

Hell of the West

Goondiwindi, QLD, Australia

Alpha Win Ocala

Ocala, FL, United States

Ayia Napa Triathlon

Ayia Napa, Cyprus

Alpha Win Napa Valley

Napa Valley, CA, United States

Setubal Triathlon

Setubal, Portugal

70.3 New Zealand

Taupo, New Zealand

70.3 Monterrey

Monterrey, Mexico

70.3 Puerto Princesa

Palawan, Philippines

70.3 Punta del Este

Maldonado, Uruguay

70.3 Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

70.3 Campeche

Campeche, Mexico

70.3 Geelong

Geelong, Australia

70.3 Panama

Panama City, Panama

70.3 Oceanside

Oceanside, California, United States

70.3 Texas

Galveston Island, Texas, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Contenders Ready For CHALLENGE Wanaka NZL

Contenders Ready For CHALLENGE Wanaka NZL

Friday 14 Feb 2025 [Triathlon News]

No official pro field is not keeping Christchurch-based professional triathlete Mike Phillips away from one of his favourite events. Phillips, who has competed at Challenge Wanaka five times, is one of the familiar faces returning to this year’s event. Having placed second in both 2023 and 2024, more

Patagonman 2025 Returns With New Challenges

Patagonman 2025 Returns With New Challenges

Friday 14 Feb 2025 [Triathlon News]

The world’s most breathtaking and grueling triathlon, PATAGONMAN Xtreme Triathlon, is back for its sixth edition on December 7, 2025. With its legendary point-to-point full Ironman-distance course through the wild landscapes of Chilean Patagonia, PATAGONMAN continues to redefine endurance sports, attracting elite and amateur athletes from across the globe. more

Challenge Forte Village Returns To The K113 Events Calendar

Challenge Forte Village Returns To The K113 Events Calendar

Wednesday 12 Feb 2025 [Triathlon News]

Challenge Family has announced Challenge Forte Village will once again deliver world-class triathlon to Sardinia’s spectacular south with middle and sprint distance racing returning on 25-26 October 2025. more

Records Shattered At CHALLENGE Israman

Records Shattered At CHALLENGE Israman

Saturday 01 Feb 2025 [Triathlon News]

Challenge Israman 2025 in Eilat delivered an unforgettable event, packed with drama, record-breaking performances, and thrilling racing. From the scorching Middle Distance competition to the gruelling Long Distance showdown, athletes pushed their limits in one of the toughest triathlons on the circuit. more

Tauranga Half NZL Pro Preview

Tauranga Half NZL Pro Preview

Friday 17 Jan 2025 [Triathlon News]

One of the longest running and most popular triathlon events in New Zealand, this event has a rich history in the local Tauranga and triathlon community spanning over 35 years. This is the pinnacle event at the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport! more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.