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Matt Hanson

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33
World Rank
7
National
144
Swim
77
Bike
6
Run
United States
Weight
66kg
Height
1.78m
Age
39
Born
1985
Swim
Quintana Roo
Bike
Quintana Roo
Run
On
Biography

Matt Hanson

"At age 16, I was challenged to make a list of 50 goals to complete in the next 10 years. For some reason, one of those goals was to complete an IRONMAN triathlon.

"I took that list pretty seriously and carried it in my wallet for the entire 10 years. When I was 25, I realised I only had a year left to do it, so I bought a cheap bike on eBay, tried to learn how to swim, and started training for IRONMAN Coeur d'Alene.

"I ended up qualifying for Kona at Coeur d'Alene. From there, I was hooked."

That, in his own words, is how former wrestler Matt Hanson started the journey to the top of the triathlon tree.

That first event was in 2011, he was sixth in his age group and inside the top 50 overall. Just a couple of years later he earned his pro card when second in AG and the third amateur overall at IRONMAN Texas, a race which has been a favourite ever since.

His pro debut came that November in IRONMAN Arizona when he made the top 20, and he hasn't looked back since.

Matt’s list of achievements so far include five IRONMAN wins (including three North American Championship titles at Texas), five half-distance victories, the world record overall time at an IRONMAN-branded event (7:39:25) and the fastest-ever marathon off the bike (2:34:39).

A former professor of exercise science, he is also a successful coach and combines that with his own training.

Giant strides

It is no surprise given his academic background that Matt Hanson knows more than most about every aspect of triathlon.

And he has used that attention to detail to significant effect throughout his career to spark improvements in all three disciplines.

There is no doubt running is his strongest suit, as that 2:34 marathon underlines, but the desire to eke out gains elsewhere is clearly evident.

"I enjoy training in the swim and the bike most because I am still finding quite a bit of improvement in those two areas, " he says.

"Everything you do needs to have a purpose. It isn't about crushing one single session. It is about showing up day-in and day-out and executing each session to the best of your ability.

"Most of the time I train alone (in Storm Lake, Iowa), but a few times a year, I go to Boulder or a training camp and work with (my coach) Julie Dibens' stable of athletes."

In 2014, his first full year as a pro, Matt notched a maiden victory at IRONMAN Chattanooga. He also started his impressive collection of run course records, including Coeur d'Alene, where he was now up into the top five overall.

But it was Texas in 2015 which really proved his breakthrough race. He calls it "a huge step" in his career and the moment he knew he could make his mark in the sport.

"I believe God gives everyone gifts, and we are meant to use them to the best of our abilities. Competing at a high level in triathlon is one of my gifts, so I need to give it my all every day."

And success in Texas has been a theme in his career. He notched his second victory in 2017 with a course and American-best time of 7:52:44.

But it was the following year, when he collected win number three and a hat-trick of North American Championship titles, when he took his record-breaking feats to new heights.

Just 12 months previously Tim Don had set a new best time in an IRONMAN-branded event of 7:40:23 in Florianopolis, Brazil. But Hanson took the mark below 7:40 in Texas thanks to that record marathon of 2:34:39.

He had been 17th after the swim but put himself right in the mix with a 4:07:27 on a bike leg reduced from 112 miles to 110 for safety reasons.

It then came down to an epic duel in the run as he went head to head with Russia's Ivan Tutukin. It was only in the final mile that Matt asserted, winning by 22 seconds.

"It was the perfect storm," he said afterwards.

"Especially the fact that there were a bunch of fast guys who started the run at virtually the same time and I had Ivan on my hip for pretty much 25 miles. It brought out the best in me, and it was an incredible feeling seeing the time."

While Texas has provided him with many of his career highlights, there is one race where he definitely has unfinished business, and that is Kona.

He calls it a "driving force" in his annual schedule, and it is undoubtedly a clear focus going forward. He has raced it six times but his form figures there as a pro are DNF, 34th, 33rd and DNF.

There has been plenty of ill-fortune on the Big Island however, including flats on the bike, a bad crash caused by a mechanical and then, in 2018, what he describes as the most pain he's been in during his career.

"My stomach had pretty much shut down. I couldn't take in any fluids or calories on the run and ended up losing over 20 pounds during the race. I was cramping so bad by the time I got to the downhill section on Palani Road that I had to go down it backwards."

Then in 2019, when everything appeared on track for a big Kona showing after victory at Boulder, he was diagnosed with an injury.

Wrongs to right at Kona

Somehow, Matt got through the swim and the bike sections in Hawaii in 2019 before abandoning his challenge. His injury, diagnosed as a sacral stress fracture, meant he wasn't able to do any running (on solid ground) until the start of January 2020.

Hanson says he has learnt a lot from the experience and he managed the situation superbly as his comeback race by taking a fifth half-distance triumph, at Campeche 70.3.

"I didn't know what to expect, so it was really nice to be able to test out the fitness. It all went really well - I was just three seconds back after the swim and that set up the rest of the day."

Despite the limited amount of running, he still produced a race-best half marathon of 1:15:47 to see off Jackson Laundry and defending champion Michael Weiss.

Away from triathlon, Matt loves being outdoors, spending time with his wife and the simple things like walking the dog or growing fruit and vegetables.

Asked who his hero is, he replies: "My Dad. He was growing up, and he still is today”.

And while he still has a score to settle at Kona, his outlook on his career so far could hardly be more positive.

"I am proud of the place where I am in life now and all of the hard work that it has taken to get here."

Show more
Current PTO World Ranking Points
33
Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga 2024
Bonus +5%
90.43
Ironman 70.3 Boulder 2024
84.74
Ironman Texas 2024
77.13
Sum / 3
84.10
Ranking History
#1#100#199#29820132014201520162017201820192020202120222023*20242013Overall12.26 pts#214Swim9.86 pts#392Bike12.90 pts#352Run36.51 pts#1702014Overall52.60 pts#105Swim39.02 pts#310Bike34.68 pts#296Run88.66 pts#82015Overall66.98 pts#77Swim42.39 pts#361Bike68.29 pts#111Run98.56 pts#22016Overall77.86 pts#52Swim47.06 pts#366Bike80.55 pts#62Run100.61 pts#22017Overall86.29 pts#30Swim67.64 pts#247Bike87.13 pts#35Run96.22 pts#72018Overall91.40 pts#20Swim67.64 pts#234Bike80.18 pts#80Run104.26 pts#32019Overall92.63 pts#21Swim59.77 pts#285Bike86.29 pts#46Run106.69 pts#22020Overall96.79 pts#9Swim62.05 pts#204Bike86.92 pts#38Run101.30 pts#22021Overall90.15 pts#16Swim76.86 pts#128Bike82.75 pts#44Run103.44 pts#32022Overall99.94 pts#15Swim83.47 pts#136Bike94.64 pts#19Run104.68 pts#52023Overall76.40 pts#60Swim61.03 pts#136Bike65.03 pts#126Run91.78 pts#42024Overall84.10 pts#33Swim60.42 pts#144Bike72.75 pts#77Run93.19 pts#6

* New PTO World Ranking System implemented.

Results

84 Races12
1
13
2
4
3

2024

Points: NaN
Date#TierRaceSwimBikeRunOverallSOFPts
18 Aug
14
GoldIronman Frankfurt50:074:06:162:44:167:46:45
66.94
89.88
66.94
Swim50:07
Bike4:06:16
Run2:44:16
21 Jul
6
GoldIronman Lake Placid53:224:33:392:41:388:13:32
76.16
85.76
76.16
Swim53:22
Bike4:33:39
Run2:41:38
08 Jun
2
GoldIronman 70.3 Boulder24:461:58:141:10:413:36:47
84.74
79.52
84.74
Swim24:46
Bike1:58:14
Run1:10:41
19 May
1
GoldIronman 70.3 Chattanooga24:392:04:061:09:483:41:21
86.12
78.75
86.12
Swim24:39
Bike2:04:06
Run1:09:48
27 Apr
6
GoldIronman Texas53:414:18:052:40:407:56:24
77.13
85.5
77.13
Swim53:41
Bike4:18:05
Run2:40:40
06 Apr
13
GoldIronman 70.3 Oceanside24:382:19:321:10:263:59:34
62.71
85.32
62.71
Swim24:38
Bike2:19:32
Run1:10:26

2023

Points: NaN
Date#TierRaceSwimBikeRunOverallSOFPts
04 Nov
4
SilverIronman Florida53:404:12:472:34:067:45:26
75.25
87.21
75.25
Swim53:40
Bike4:12:47
Run2:34:06
10 Sep
21
DiamondIronman World Championships - Nice53:065:10:012:36:298:45:55
70.2
91.52
70.20
Swim53:06
Bike5:10:01
Run2:36:29
27 Aug
29
PlatinumIronman 70.3 World Championship24:092:08:341:12:373:47:56
65.2
90.59
65.20
Swim24:09
Bike2:08:34
Run1:12:37
23 Jul
3
SilverIronman Lake Placid53:414:30:212:41:148:09:50
74.91
79.13
74.91
Swim53:41
Bike4:30:21
Run2:41:14
04 Jun
DNF
GoldIronman Hamburg49:094:12:17--:----:--
0
83.89
-
Swim49:09
Bike4:12:17
Run--:--
21 May
19
GoldChallenge "The Championship" Samorin24:362:01:271:16:143:46:53
54.76
86.06
54.76
Swim24:36
Bike2:01:27
Run1:16:14
06 May
6
GoldIronman 70.3 St. George25:232:09:511:13:073:51:16
75.27
84.19
75.27
Swim25:23
Bike2:09:51
Run1:13:07
22 Apr
DNF
GoldIronman Texas52:28--:----:----:--
0
80.26
-
Swim52:28
Bike--:--
Run--:--
19 Mar
2
SilverChallenge Puerto Varas24:432:12:021:11:563:50:50
74.57
74.38
74.57
Swim24:43
Bike2:12:02
Run1:11:56

2022

Points: NaN
Date#TierRaceSwimBikeRunOverallSOFPts
02 Dec
5
GoldClash Daytona23:131:18:2344:202:27:03
75.91
78.94
75.91
Swim23:13
Bike1:18:23
Run44:20
20 Nov
2
SilverIronman Arizona50:184:19:232:35:297:49:47
80.48
83.67
80.48
Swim50:18
Bike4:19:23
Run2:35:29
29 Oct
12
PlatinumIronman 70.3 World Championship23:462:09:191:12:483:48:13
78.98
91.76
78.98
Swim23:46
Bike2:09:19
Run1:12:48
08 Oct
15
DiamondIronman Hawaii52:394:22:172:45:338:04:54
78.59
91.45
78.59
Swim52:39
Bike4:22:17
Run2:45:33
18 Sep
22
DiamondPTO US Open29:171:56:151:00:423:28:08
72.15
87.17
72.15
Swim29:17
Bike1:56:15
Run1:00:42
20 Aug
8
DiamondCollins Cup25:071:49:201:02:193:19:18
82.31
87.97
82.31
Swim25:07
Bike1:49:20
Run1:02:19
24 Jul
22
DiamondPTO Canadian Open28:451:52:171:00:323:23:01
70.25
84.87
70.25
Swim28:45
Bike1:52:17
Run1:00:32
12 Jun
1
GoldIronman Des Moines51:424:09:572:49:017:56:47
83.07
70.19
83.07
Swim51:42
Bike4:09:57
Run2:49:01
22 May
2
GoldIronman 70.3 Chattanooga24:592:00:351:09:583:38:11
84
78.02
84.00
Swim24:59
Bike2:00:35
Run1:09:58
07 May
13
DiamondIronman St. George World Championships51:484:35:322:43:388:13:47
75.31
80.09
75.31
Swim51:48
Bike4:35:32
Run2:43:38
20 Mar
2
SilverChallenge Puerto Varas30:002:10:021:10:423:52:44
72.97
68.97
72.97
Swim30:00
Bike2:10:02
Run1:10:42

2021

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
04 Dec
4
Clash Daytona26:361:44:3259:443:12:46
83.2787
03:08:03
83.28
Swim26:36
Bike1:44:32
Run59:44
28 Aug
16
Collins Cup27:001:51:591:03:253:25:46
70.097
03:16:56
70.10
Swim27:00
Bike1:51:59
Run1:03:25
01 May
11
Ironman 70.3 St. George23:402:11:581:11:063:50:39
79.4925
03:43:46
79.49
Swim23:40
Bike2:11:58
Run1:11:06
18 Apr
2
Ironman 70.3 Florida27:512:04:421:10:373:48:19
80.3096
03:41:46
80.31
Swim27:51
Bike2:04:42
Run1:10:37
11 Apr
4
Ironman 70.3 Texas25:512:06:021:09:093:43:29
90.1107
03:40:13
90.11
Swim25:51
Bike2:06:02
Run1:09:09
12 Mar
13
Challenge Miami21:541:29:2252:572:46:06
73.4279
02:39:44
73.43
Swim21:54
Bike1:29:22
Run52:57

2020

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
06 Dec
2
Challenge Daytona24:381:41:4457:213:05:56
97.0589
03:05:07
97.06
Swim24:38
Bike1:41:44
Run57:21
07 Nov
2
Ironman Florida55:174:11:242:41:577:55:02
92.119
07:49:29
92.12
Swim55:17
Bike4:11:24
Run2:41:57
03 Oct
3
Huntington Triathlon20:3555:0133:381:50:40
28.8889
01:40:00
28.89
Swim20:35
Bike55:01
Run33:38
27 Sep
5
Ironman 70.3 Cozumel23:102:03:281:20:303:49:50
59.9221
03:36:48
59.92
Swim23:10
Bike2:03:28
Run1:20:30
19 Sep
2
Bear Lake Brawl--:----:----:--3:44:46
51.8168
03:29:37
51.82
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
15 Mar
1
Ironman 70.3 Campeche24:272:06:361:15:473:48:57
83.0808
03:43:17
83.08
Swim24:27
Bike2:06:36
Run1:15:47

2019

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
12 Oct
DNF
Ironman Hawaii--:----:----:----:--
08:03:00
-
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
25 Aug
1
Ironman 70.3 Traverse City25:192:09:451:12:353:50:33
78.0466
03:43:12
78.05
Swim25:19
Bike2:09:45
Run1:12:35
30 Jun
5
Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene25:182:08:111:16:233:52:54
66.584
03:41:47
66.58
Swim25:18
Bike2:08:11
Run1:16:23
09 Jun
1
Ironman Boulder54:014:09:172:48:347:57:03
101.186
07:57:54
101.19
Swim54:01
Bike4:09:17
Run2:48:34
19 May
3
Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga24:002:08:431:15:083:52:23
68.9236
03:42:02
68.92
Swim24:00
Bike2:08:43
Run1:15:08
27 Apr
5
Ironman Texas53:394:20:432:50:088:09:28
77.9075
07:53:46
77.91
Swim53:39
Bike4:20:43
Run2:50:08
07 Apr
2
Ironman 70.3 Texas24:592:03:441:16:573:47:47
50.0288
03:31:54
50.03
Swim24:59
Bike2:03:44
Run1:16:57
17 Mar
4
Ironman 70.3 Campeche29:232:05:461:17:293:55:28
69.6588
03:45:13
69.66
Swim29:23
Bike2:05:46
Run1:17:29

2018

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
02 Dec
2
Ironman Mar del Plata22:184:28:462:45:077:39:47
78.9088
07:25:41
78.91
Swim22:18
Bike4:28:46
Run2:45:07
28 Oct
4
Ironman 70.3 Waco--:--2:05:511:15:373:23:23
0
-
-
Swim--:--
Bike2:05:51
Run1:15:37
13 Oct
33
Ironman Hawaii54:264:29:113:10:348:39:58
46.1919
08:01:08
46.19
Swim54:26
Bike4:29:11
Run3:10:34
23 Sep
5
Ironman 70.3 Augusta--:----:----:--3:48:14
69.9305
03:38:23
69.93
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
24 Jun
1
Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene25:392:09:431:11:443:50:09
79.4466
03:43:16
79.45
Swim25:39
Bike2:09:43
Run1:11:44
20 May
4
Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga21:032:06:241:17:363:49:24
64.1709
03:37:42
64.17
Swim21:03
Bike2:06:24
Run1:17:36
28 Apr
1
Ironman Texas52:314:07:272:34:397:39:25
97.2558
07:37:32
97.26
Swim52:31
Bike4:07:27
Run2:34:39
08 Apr
4
Ironman 70.3 Texas25:222:06:301:11:003:46:48
73.1947
03:38:02
73.19
Swim25:22
Bike2:06:30
Run1:11:00
18 Mar
5
Ironman 70.3 Campeche25:082:13:011:15:113:56:08
70.1082
03:46:00
70.11
Swim25:08
Bike2:13:01
Run1:15:11

2017

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
29 Oct
6
Ironman 70.3 Austin25:482:17:501:10:393:58:19
56.175
03:43:37
56.17
Swim25:48
Bike2:17:50
Run1:10:39
14 Oct
34
Ironman Hawaii51:224:40:453:23:589:02:04
31.8852
08:11:49
31.89
Swim51:22
Bike4:40:45
Run3:23:58
10 Sep
14
Ironman 70.3 World Championship27:362:17:321:13:184:01:42
65.9854
03:49:58
65.99
Swim27:36
Bike2:17:32
Run1:13:18
13 Aug
2
Ironman 70.3 Steelhead27:322:06:301:10:503:49:08
77.9064
03:41:47
77.91
Swim27:32
Bike2:06:30
Run1:10:50
16 Jul
5
Ironman 70.3 Racine--:--2:02:321:16:033:19:31
49.9476
03:05:35
49.95
Swim--:--
Bike2:02:32
Run1:16:03
25 Jun
1
Ironman 70.3 Coeur d'Alene26:092:10:331:11:203:51:16
83.4564
03:45:40
83.46
Swim26:09
Bike2:10:33
Run1:11:20
22 Apr
1
Ironman Texas51:464:13:532:42:077:52:44
93.4731
07:48:09
93.47
Swim51:46
Bike4:13:53
Run2:42:07
19 Mar
7
Ironman 70.3 Campeche27:542:21:441:13:584:06:30
47.536
03:48:31
47.54
Swim27:54
Bike2:21:44
Run1:13:58

2016

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
04 Dec
1
Ironman 70.3 Cartagena27:082:10:3056:543:38:01
0
-
-
Swim27:08
Bike2:10:30
Run56:54
27 Nov
2
Ironman 70.3 Punta Del Este26:071:53:141:13:153:46:31
58.0824
03:33:07
58.08
Swim26:07
Bike1:53:14
Run1:13:15
30 Oct
3
Ironman 70.3 Austin--:--2:12:571:11:133:25:43
0
-
-
Swim--:--
Bike2:12:57
Run1:11:13
23 Oct
8
Ironman 70.3 Miami29:462:09:251:11:293:53:16
66.429
03:42:05
66.43
Swim29:46
Bike2:09:25
Run1:11:29
25 Sep
4
Ironman Chattanooga45:064:39:222:57:078:25:36
65.0048
08:00:23
65.00
Swim45:06
Bike4:39:22
Run2:57:07
12 Jun
DNF
Ironman Cairns--:----:----:----:--
08:07:28
-
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
14 May
23
Ironman Texas54:243:40:333:27:588:07:07
0
-
-
Swim54:24
Bike3:40:33
Run3:27:58
02 Apr
11
Ironman 70.3 Oceanside26:242:17:501:12:234:02:18
54.1244
03:46:42
54.12
Swim26:24
Bike2:17:50
Run1:12:23
05 Mar
4
Ironman New Zealand51:344:34:422:41:208:12:30
81.9494
07:59:31
81.95
Swim51:34
Bike4:34:42
Run2:41:20
31 Jan
8
Ironman 70.3 Panama23:572:02:571:16:393:47:41
56.3771
03:33:42
56.38
Swim23:57
Bike2:02:57
Run1:16:39

2015

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
29 Nov
9
Ironman Cozumel49:494:53:053:17:099:03:56
15.5591
08:02:47
15.56
Swim49:49
Bike4:53:05
Run3:17:09
10 Oct
DNF
Ironman Hawaii--:----:----:----:--
08:15:44
-
Swim--:--
Bike--:--
Run--:--
19 Jul
7
Ironman 70.3 Racine26:222:10:271:19:144:00:00
50.9431
03:43:33
50.94
Swim26:22
Bike2:10:27
Run1:19:14
16 May
1
Ironman Texas55:024:21:252:45:478:07:03
85.2158
07:56:29
85.22
Swim55:02
Bike4:21:25
Run2:45:47
28 Mar
13
Ironman 70.3 Oceanside27:102:16:121:13:354:01:58
51.2652
03:45:29
51.27
Swim27:10
Bike2:16:12
Run1:13:35

2014

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
28 Sep
1
Ironman Chattanooga40:494:40:102:47:408:12:32
64.452
07:47:36
64.45
Swim40:49
Bike4:40:10
Run2:47:40
07 Sep
5
Ironman Wisconsin53:324:55:172:55:428:50:16
38.1283
08:05:14
38.13
Swim53:32
Bike4:55:17
Run2:55:42
29 Jun
5
Ironman Coeur d'Alene1:00:314:53:542:42:078:39:22
44.597
07:59:31
44.60
Swim1:00:31
Bike4:53:54
Run2:42:07
17 May
6
Ironman Texas53:434:46:162:41:388:25:51
48.7416
07:49:44
48.74
Swim53:43
Bike4:46:16
Run2:41:38
06 Apr
8
Ironman 70.3 Texas27:372:09:421:13:323:53:42
34.2944
03:32:44
34.29
Swim27:37
Bike2:09:42
Run1:13:32

2013

Points: NaN
Date#RaceSwimBikeRunOverallAITPts
17 Nov
18
Ironman Arizona56:294:39:132:51:118:30:29
36.7791
07:46:16
36.78
Swim56:29
Bike4:39:13
Run2:51:11

Ranking per Season

Overall

Year
Points
Pos
2024
84
33
2023
76
60
2022
99
15
2021
90
16
2020
96
9
2019
92
21
2018
91
20
2017
86
30
2016
77
52
2015
66
77
2014
52
105
2013
12
214

Swim

Year
Points
Pos
2024
60
144
2023
61
136
2022
83
136
2021
76
128
2020
62
204
2019
59
285
2018
67
234
2017
67
247
2016
47
366
2015
42
361
2014
39
310
2013
9
392

Bike

Year
Points
Pos
2024
72
77
2023
65
126
2022
94
19
2021
82
44
2020
86
38
2019
86
46
2018
80
80
2017
87
35
2016
80
62
2015
68
111
2014
34
296
2013
12
352

Run

Year
Points
Pos
2024
93
6
2023
91
4
2022
104
5
2021
103
3
2020
101
2
2019
106
2
2018
104
3
2017
96
7
2016
100
2
2015
98
2
2014
88
8
2013
36
170