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Bart Aernouts

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Belgium
Weight
75kg
Height
1.84m
Age
40
Born
1984
 
 
 
Biography

Bart Aernouts

His time of 7:56:41 in 2018 would have won every previous edition of the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona.

However, just a matter of four minutes earlier, the eight-hour barrier had been shattered for the very first time by defending champion Patrick Lange.

But this, on the back of his Challenge Roth heroics a year earlier, was the performance which underlined Bart Aernouts' position at the very highest level of long-distance triathlon.

The Belgian has been a winner throughout his career, across a range of distances - first in duathlon and then triathlon.

The undoubted highlight of his duathlon days was winning the 2010 ITU World Championships in Edinburgh.

And he wasted little time making an impact in triathlon, racking up multiple 70.3 wins in 2011 - in Antwerp, Syracuse and Poconos Mountains.

In 2012 he competed in his first full-distance race, placing 10th in Melbourne, and rounded out the season with an eye-catching second place in IRONMAN France.

Renowned for his calmness under race pressure, the Belgian's relentless rise up the ladder was confirmed when he won the iconic Challenge Roth in 2017 at his very first attempt.

That mental strength has proved an asset throughout, perfectly summarised by triathlon legend Bob Babbitt who says: "Everyone else is playing checkers out there - and he's playing chess."

A fast finish allied to a razor-sharp mind

Bart's journey to the pinnacle of long-distance triathlon has featured many pivotal moments, with Luc Van Lierde exerting a significant influence.

Indeed it was watching compatriot Van Lierde's victories in Hawaii in the late 1990s that inspired a young Aernouts to take up the sport.

He'd run and cycled from an early age and, after a brief initial foray into triathlon, it was duathlon where he first made his mark.

He made an immediate impression in that sphere, qualifying almost straight away for the World Championships in 2005.

And by 2008 he was on the podium for the first time. That opened up funding opportunities and the chance to transition to triathlon, but not before signing off with a World Championship title in the run/bike/run sphere on an emotional day in Edinburgh in 2010.

On a course which three years earlier had seen him crowned the U23 European champion, Bart led home a Belgian one-two-three from Rob Woestenborghs and Joerie Vansteelant.

Understandably the focus in those formative years was on his swimming, with lots of work done in conjunction with coach Ronald Gaastra in Antwerp.

But as he improved and his experience grew, so did the wins tally. There have been 70.3 successes in Austria, Germany (for the European Championship) and Bahrain, while at iron-distance France and Lanzarote have also seen him cross the line in triumph.

That Lanzarote victory in May 2017 came less than two months before his first appearance at Challenge Roth - and what a debut it proved to be.

In front of over a quarter of a million fans, he beat Joe Skipper and Maurice Clavel, all with his first sub-eight-hour finish (7:59:07).

"I think it's going to be hard to find a more special race - the atmosphere was incredible, and there's no finish-line experience like it," he explains. "So many people are on the bike and run routes and all the cheering really does help you."

And he continued to go from strength to strength. The following year Bart advertised his Kona claims with a dominant display at IRONMAN Hamburg.

That event saw him showcase his duathlon background to great effect after a cancelled swim was replaced by an extra 6km run, eventually crossing the line over seven minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

And after three previous top-10 placings, he then went on to make the podium for the first time on that astonishing day in Kona.

The 40th-anniversary edition saw Bart and winner Patrick Lange became the first men to smash the eight-hour mark. "I'd rather win in 8:30!" he said afterwards, but the performance showed yet again that he was one of the sport's very best.

The fact that Aernouts often has significant ground to make up after the swim only adds to the excitement for the watching public - though his rivals may see it differently.

At his Challenge Roth victory, he was in 23rd place when getting out of the water - while he was 40th at Kona a year later en route to second.

His marathon times on those landmark days were 2:44:10 and 2:45:42 respectively.

Another top 10 at Kona - his fifth in eight attempts - followed in 2019.

And Aernouts started 2020 in perfect style, winning back at 70.3 distance with a time of 3:33:45 in Dubai - again displaying his now-customary surge through the field to make up almost three and a half minutes after the swim and beat the previous course record by over a minute.

Guiding light

One of the final pieces of the jigsaw in turning a Kona top-10 into a podium place had been linking up with the man who had inspired Aernouts to take up the sport in the first place – Luc Van Lierde.

He was the first European to win at Kona when he triumphed in 1996, adding a second title three years later.

And in 2013 he notched a notable double when he coached Frederick Van Lierde (no relation) to Hawaii glory.

He linked up with Aernouts in late 2017 and the two quickly forged a hugely effective partnership, with subtle changes to the training regime and that experience as a winning athlete and coach paying huge dividends.

Van Lierde describes the process as "fine-tuning the engine", and the combination of factors all helped Aernouts produce that perfect race for his 7:56 at Kona.

All the time, his mental strength and composure have proved invaluable. "What makes the difference on race day is having the right mindset - right from the start and for all eight hours. Patience is the key at Kona" Bart explains.

“A race is only over at the finish line. Never forget this when you have a tough time, try to stay positive and keep fighting.”

And while Aernouts has the uncanny ability to focus on his race rather than get drawn into an unnecessary battle, he does relish the epic nature of long-distance triathlon. "I just love the competition; I think that's why I really enjoy what I do."

But away from the sport, it's all about trying to make as much time as possible for his daughter and family.

"The biggest sacrifice we make is being away from them for races and training."

Show more
Current PTO World Ranking Points
53
Ironman Cozumel 2024
Bonus +5%
89.33
Ironman South Africa 2024
77.41
Ironman 70.3 Tallinn 2024
73.82
Sum / 3
80.19
Ranking History
#1#101#201#301#401201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023*20242012Overall44.52 pts#68Swim29.71 pts#227Bike55.61 pts#74Run89.52 pts#32013Overall71.97 pts#16Swim41.34 pts#172Bike63.24 pts#45Run93.48 pts#12014Overall77.58 pts#20Swim59.33 pts#181Bike73.44 pts#37Run93.32 pts#22015Overall84.16 pts#23Swim60.76 pts#228Bike82.22 pts#37Run86.45 pts#132016Overall85.85 pts#23Swim52.17 pts#326Bike81.45 pts#58Run89.33 pts#182017Overall88.91 pts#19Swim53.86 pts#358Bike83.12 pts#61Run91.17 pts#152018Overall97.59 pts#8Swim53.88 pts#332Bike91.55 pts#22Run96.33 pts#92019Overall96.80 pts#9Swim44.83 pts#399Bike93.45 pts#27Run92.65 pts#172020Overall86.10 pts#29Swim36.83 pts#392Bike89.36 pts#31Run86.48 pts#232021Overall86.52 pts#23Swim51.39 pts#264Bike91.01 pts#19Run89.22 pts#202022Overall80.31 pts#68Swim59.66 pts#291Bike85.85 pts#48Run92.48 pts#352023Overall79.41 pts#47Swim40.36 pts#271Bike79.10 pts#48Run80.75 pts#282024Overall80.19 pts#53Swim42.65 pts#261Bike83.15 pts#40Run84.26 pts#26

* New PTO World Ranking System implemented.

Rivals
wins / races

Results

76 Races12
1
9
2
8
3

2024

Points: NaN
Date#TierRaceSwimBikeRunOverallSOFPts
24 Nov
1
SilverIronman Cozumel44:524:07:192:43:037:39:24
85.08
85.16
85.08
Swim44:52
Bike4:07:19
Run2:43:03
19 Oct
9
SilverChallenge Peguera Mallorca26:532:08:091:09:403:47:40
61.09
76.31
61.09
Swim26:53
Bike2:08:09
Run1:09:40
01 Sep
10
GoldIronman 70.3 Zell am See28:572:10:361:13:403:58:39
68.81
85.72
68.81
Swim28:57
Bike2:10:36
Run1:13:40
25 Aug
7
GoldIronman 70.3 Tallinn25:242:01:181:14:303:43:46
73.82
84.35
73.82
Swim25:24
Bike2:01:18
Run1:14:30
21 Jul
9
GoldIronman Lake Placid56:154:28:582:50:158:20:55
69.44
85.76
69.44
Swim56:15
Bike4:28:58
Run2:50:15
26 May
5
SilverIronman 70.3 Kraichgau26:452:10:351:13:313:55:03
67.44
76.27
67.44
Swim26:45
Bike2:10:35
Run1:13:31
19 May
DNF
GoldChallenge "The Championship" Samorin27:212:02:29--:----:--
0
87.43
-
Swim27:21
Bike2:02:29
Run--:--
21 Apr
5
GoldIronman South Africa54:144:25:592:45:408:10:33
77.41
79.52
77.41
Swim54:14
Bike4:25:59
Run2:45:40

2023

Points: NaN
Date#TierRaceSwimBikeRunOverallSOFPts
21 Oct
6
SilverIronman Portugal50:584:21:582:41:158:01:37
70.06
87.71
70.06
Swim50:58
Bike4:21:58
Run2:41:15
24 Sep
4
SilverChallenge San Remo28:542:35:421:11:324:19:04
70.51
78.43
70.51
Swim28:54
Bike2:35:42
Run1:11:32
25 Jun
2
SilverIronman Nice53:594:37:302:45:198:24:11
77.89
80.56
77.89
Swim53:59
Bike4:37:30
Run2:45:19
21 May
2
SilverIronman 70.3 Pays d'Aix24:442:10:241:10:263:51:27
77.07
76.41
77.07
Swim24:44
Bike2:10:24
Run1:10:26
14 May
1
SilverChallenge Frejus--:--2:27:431:09:464:06:24
79.39
70.29
79.39
Swim--:--
Bike2:27:43
Run1:09:46
22 Apr
DNF
GoldIronman Texas1:00:574:18:01--:----:--
0
80.26
-
Swim1:00:57
Bike4:18:01
Run--:--

2022

Points: NaN
Date#TierRaceSwimBikeRunOverallSOFPts
04 Dec
3
SilverIronman 70.3 Indian Wells25:422:04:391:11:033:45:07
75.87
80.16
75.87
Swim25:42
Bike2:04:39
Run1:11:03
20 Nov
5
SilverIronman Arizona56:024:17:552:44:208:03:24
68.79
83.67
68.79
Swim56:02
Bike4:17:55
Run2:44:20
15 Oct
8
SilverIronman 70.3 Cascais24:222:08:351:13:413:50:42
57.27
67.95
57.27
Swim24:22
Bike2:08:35
Run1:13:41
21 May
10
BronzeIronman Lanzarote57:075:00:283:05:119:09:13
41.2
62.48
41.20
Swim57:07
Bike5:00:28
Run3:05:11
07 May
DNF
DiamondIronman St. George World Championships--:----:----:----:--
80.09
-
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
02 Apr
10
SilverIronman 70.3 Oceanside25:402:08:231:14:093:52:55
57.27
79.85
57.27
Swim25:40
Bike2:08:23
Run1:14:09
05 Mar
7
BronzeIronman 70.3 Dubai28:201:54:271:13:163:38:17
51.63
72.35
51.63
Swim28:20
Bike1:54:27
Run1:13:16

2021

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
24 Oct
10
Ironman 70.3 Portugal25:332:08:221:12:373:51:58
70.3315
03:42:05
70.33
Swim25:33
Bike2:08:22
Run1:12:37
16 Oct
7
Ironman Mallorca52:284:31:432:43:068:12:02
77.1822
07:55:45
77.18
Swim52:28
Bike4:31:43
Run2:43:06
11 Sep
1
Triathlon Royan24:242:08:571:15:213:51:13
78.7777
03:44:05
78.78
Swim24:24
Bike2:08:57
Run1:15:21
08 Aug
15
Ironman 70.3 Switzerland25:182:12:271:18:023:59:25
41.3265
03:40:03
41.33
Swim25:18
Bike2:12:27
Run1:18:02
04 Jul
DNF
Ironman 70.3 Les Sables D'Olonne--:----:----:----:--
03:41:45
-
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
27 Jun
3
Challenge Walchsee28:531:59:401:10:343:42:05
70.8079
03:32:46
70.81
Swim28:53
Bike1:59:40
Run1:10:34
23 May
5
Ironman Tulsa50:154:17:382:43:207:55:12
94.9584
07:51:38
94.96
Swim50:15
Bike4:17:38
Run2:43:20
18 Apr
1
Ironman 70.3 Florida29:261:59:461:13:013:47:41
82.2135
03:41:46
82.21
Swim29:26
Bike1:59:46
Run1:13:01
11 Apr
6
Ironman 70.3 Texas27:582:03:171:11:473:46:02
82.3911
03:40:13
82.39
Swim27:58
Bike2:03:17
Run1:11:47
12 Mar
15
Challenge Miami24:121:24:0956:532:47:24
68.0022
02:39:44
68.00
Swim24:12
Bike1:24:09
Run56:53

2020

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
06 Sep
17
Ironman 70.3 Les Sables D'Olonne26:352:08:331:20:423:59:24
41.4319
03:40:04
41.43
Swim26:35
Bike2:08:33
Run1:20:42
07 Feb
1
Ironman 70.3 Dubai26:011:52:341:10:513:33:44
83.7035
03:28:38
83.70
Swim26:01
Bike1:52:34
Run1:10:51
26 Jan
4
Ironman 70.3 South Africa28:482:17:281:17:574:09:09
69.9385
03:58:24
69.94
Swim28:48
Bike2:17:28
Run1:17:57

2019

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
12 Oct
9
Ironman Hawaii57:034:19:472:51:088:12:27
86.9565
08:03:00
86.96
Swim57:03
Bike4:19:47
Run2:51:08
08 Sep
6
Ironman 70.3 World Championship27:002:19:461:10:364:01:14
87.4232
03:56:46
87.42
Swim27:00
Bike2:19:46
Run1:10:36
07 Jul
4
Challenge Roth56:114:17:572:47:498:04:48
83.9219
07:53:23
83.92
Swim56:11
Bike4:17:57
Run2:47:49
19 May
1
Ironman 70.3 Barcelona27:222:21:341:12:294:05:07
72.3835
03:55:22
72.38
Swim27:22
Bike2:21:34
Run1:12:29
04 May
2
Ironman 70.3 St. George26:322:05:461:14:533:50:58
78.5491
03:43:46
78.55
Swim26:32
Bike2:05:46
Run1:14:53
07 Apr
9
Ironman South Africa28:364:37:282:46:017:56:20
71.8728
07:37:03
71.87
Swim28:36
Bike4:37:28
Run2:46:01

2018

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
18 Nov
2
Laguna Phuket Triathlon26:451:10:3643:362:23:28
0
-
-
Swim26:45
Bike1:10:36
Run43:36
13 Oct
2
Ironman Hawaii54:074:12:252:45:417:56:41
106.166
08:01:08
106.17
Swim54:07
Bike4:12:25
Run2:45:41
29 Jul
1
Ironman Hamburg19:474:00:502:39:517:05:26
96.8248
07:03:25
96.82
Swim19:47
Bike4:00:50
Run2:39:51
17 Jun
3
Ironman 70.3 Elsinore24:572:01:191:13:083:44:38
73.3539
03:36:00
73.35
Swim24:57
Bike2:01:19
Run1:13:08
03 Jun
11
Challenge "The Championship" Samorin30:182:03:341:17:163:56:19
60.3477
03:43:03
60.35
Swim30:18
Bike2:03:34
Run1:17:16
20 May
3
Ironman 70.3 Barcelona26:072:22:051:14:294:06:40
68.537
03:55:33
68.54
Swim26:07
Bike2:22:05
Run1:14:29
21 Apr
4
Challenge Gran Canaria29:362:17:501:11:384:02:32
67.5722
03:51:17
67.57
Swim29:36
Bike2:17:50
Run1:11:38

2017

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
29 Oct
2
Challenge Sardinia27:062:16:131:15:074:01:08
65.9014
03:49:24
65.90
Swim27:06
Bike2:16:13
Run1:15:07
14 Oct
12
Ironman Hawaii56:194:32:342:52:578:26:28
80.1417
08:11:49
80.14
Swim56:19
Bike4:32:34
Run2:52:57
09 Jul
1
Challenge Roth52:554:19:022:44:107:59:07
89.7809
07:51:53
89.78
Swim52:55
Bike4:19:02
Run2:44:10
20 May
1
Ironman Lanzarote50:344:48:232:48:288:34:13
89.7318
08:26:25
89.73
Swim50:34
Bike4:48:23
Run2:48:28

2016

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
08 Oct
8
Ironman Hawaii53:584:32:372:48:448:20:30
87.2165
08:11:05
87.22
Swim53:58
Bike4:32:37
Run2:48:44
14 Aug
10
Ironman 70.3 Wiesbaden26:362:23:391:15:204:09:03
55.2985
03:53:24
55.30
Swim26:36
Bike2:23:39
Run1:15:20
26 Jun
6
Ironman Austria56:484:28:272:46:428:16:32
66.0658
07:52:29
66.07
Swim56:48
Bike4:28:27
Run2:46:42
07 May
2
Ironman 70.3 Mallorca26:512:19:581:14:494:06:51
58.3453
03:52:20
58.35
Swim26:51
Bike2:19:58
Run1:14:49
29 Jan
3
Ironman 70.3 Dubai18:552:07:041:15:063:43:58
0
-
-
Swim18:55
Bike2:07:04
Run1:15:06

2015

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
05 Dec
1
Ironman 70.3 Bahrain--:--1:55:141:14:003:11:15
0
-
-
Swim--:--
Bike1:55:14
Run1:14:00
10 Oct
DNF
Ironman Hawaii--:----:----:----:--
08:15:44
-
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
30 Aug
4
Ironman 70.3 World Championship25:382:12:071:14:553:56:28
80.0121
03:49:35
80.01
Swim25:38
Bike2:12:07
Run1:14:55
25 May
3
Challenge Rimini28:082:21:531:13:544:08:09
66.8147
03:56:23
66.81
Swim28:08
Bike2:21:53
Run1:13:54
29 Mar
3
Ironman South Africa52:074:44:302:55:048:35:59
75.0232
08:17:21
75.02
Swim52:07
Bike4:44:30
Run2:55:04
27 Feb
4
Challenge Dubai25:252:07:231:11:173:47:13
90.3259
03:43:58
90.33
Swim25:25
Bike2:07:23
Run1:11:17
25 Jan
3
Ironman 70.3 South Africa26:222:20:161:20:344:11:37
49.7079
03:53:58
49.71
Swim26:22
Bike2:20:16
Run1:20:34

2014

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
11 Oct
9
Ironman Hawaii55:434:37:472:50:128:28:28
77.8741
08:12:08
77.87
Swim55:43
Bike4:37:47
Run2:50:12
07 Sep
8
Ironman 70.3 World Championship24:382:06:071:13:183:48:05
82.1429
03:42:08
82.14
Swim24:38
Bike2:06:07
Run1:13:18
10 Aug
1
Ironman 70.3 Wiesbaden24:062:22:231:15:254:05:27
62.1604
03:52:16
62.16
Swim24:06
Bike2:22:23
Run1:15:25
29 Jun
1
Ironman Nice51:584:46:102:49:588:33:22
64.1945
08:07:12
64.19
Swim51:58
Bike4:46:10
Run2:49:58
01 Jun
8
Ironman 70.3 Switzerland24:592:11:391:12:473:52:50
41.3292
03:34:00
41.33
Swim24:59
Bike2:11:39
Run1:12:47
10 May
2
Ironman 70.3 Mallorca24:392:14:271:10:083:53:33
60.3307
03:40:26
60.33
Swim24:39
Bike2:14:27
Run1:10:08

2013

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
12 Oct
8
Ironman Hawaii57:264:39:462:44:038:25:38
76.3351
08:08:18
76.34
Swim57:26
Bike4:39:46
Run2:44:03
08 Sep
13
Ironman 70.3 World Championship27:362:14:581:14:544:01:03
0
-
-
Swim27:36
Bike2:14:58
Run1:14:54
23 Jun
2
Ironman Nice51:324:38:292:37:018:12:28
78.3834
07:57:00
78.38
Swim51:32
Bike4:38:29
Run2:37:01

2012

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
13 Oct
11
Ironman Hawaii1:00:154:45:112:47:108:37:31
72.5957
08:17:05
72.60
Swim1:00:15
Bike4:45:11
Run2:47:10
09 Sep
6
Ironman 70.3 World Championship26:302:13:021:18:104:01:17
0
-
-
Swim26:30
Bike2:13:02
Run1:18:10
24 Mar
10
Ironman Melbourne55:254:35:462:42:448:18:17
66.6831
07:54:34
66.68
Swim55:25
Bike4:35:46
Run2:42:44

2010

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
13 Nov
19
Ironman 70.3 World Championship27:212:07:321:13:363:52:05
0
-
-
Swim27:21
Bike2:07:32
Run1:13:36

Ranking per Season

Overall

Year
Points
Pos
2024
80
53
2023
79
47
2022
80
68
2021
86
23
2020
86
29
2019
96
9
2018
97
8
2017
88
19
2016
85
23
2015
84
23
2014
77
20
2013
71
16
2012
44
68

Swim

Year
Points
Pos
2024
42
261
2023
40
271
2022
59
291
2021
51
264
2020
36
392
2019
44
399
2018
53
332
2017
53
358
2016
52
326
2015
60
228
2014
59
181
2013
41
172
2012
29
227

Bike

Year
Points
Pos
2024
83
40
2023
79
48
2022
85
48
2021
91
19
2020
89
31
2019
93
27
2018
91
22
2017
83
61
2016
81
58
2015
82
37
2014
73
37
2013
63
45
2012
55
74

Run

Year
Points
Pos
2024
84
26
2023
80
28
2022
92
35
2021
89
20
2020
86
23
2019
92
17
2018
96
9
2017
91
15
2016
89
18
2015
86
13
2014
93
2
2013
93
1
2012
89
3