Ironman Ireland 70.3, 2023 – BIG Jump in DNS and DNF-Swim
The Ironman Ireland 70.3 finishing rate dropped from 91% in 2022 to 80% in 2023.
This is a very high rate and influenced by the change of date from Saturday to Sunday, perhaps interfering with people’s plans, but also due to the perception of the swim conditions.
The stats are shown below, (thank you @FY) and it’s also worth looking at the DNF Swim stats of 42 people compared to the longer event (3 people) and to the event last year (15 people).
Athletes who registered a DNS have the option of a deferral to any open spaces in Ironman events in 2023 (hmmm, it’s almost September) or to Ironman 70.3 Cork 2024. I’ll be surprised if that race goes ahead.
2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Ireland Cork
- Total Athletes: 1553
- Finished: 1236 people (79.59%)
- DNS (Did Not Start): 224 people (14.42%)
- Did Not Finish: 87 people (5.60%)
- Did Not Finish Swim: 42 people
- Did Not Finish Bike: 19 people
- Did Not Finish Run: 22 people
- Did Not Finish (Short Course): 4 people
- DQ (Disqualified): 1 people
- NC (Not Classified): 5 people
2022 IRONMAN 70.3 Cork
- Total Athletes: 1119
- Finished: 1018 people (90.97%)
- DNS (Did Not Start): 50 people (4.47%)
- Did Not Finish: 49 people (4.38%)
- Did Not Finish Swim: 5 people
- Did Not Finish Bike: 16 people
- Did Not Finish Run: 22 people
- Did Not Finish (Short Course): 6 people
- DQ (Disqualified): 2 people
- NC (Not Classified): 0 people
2023 IRONMAN Ireland Cork
- Total Athletes: 640
- Finished: 582 people (90.94%)
- DNS (Did Not Start): 16 people (2.50%)
- Did Not Finish: 41 people (6.41%)
- Did Not Finish Swim: 3 people
- Did Not Finish Bike: 15 people
- Did Not Finish Run: 20 people
- Did Not Finish (Short Course): 3 people
- DQ (Disqualified): 1 people
- NC (Not Classified): 0 people
2022 IRONMAN Ireland Cork
- Total Athletes: 1218
- Finished: 1054 people (86.54%)
- DNS (Did Not Start): 50 people (4.11%)
- Did Not Finish: 110 people (9.03%)
- Did Not Finish Swim: 15 people
- Did Not Finish Bike: 40 people
- Did Not Finish Run: 54 people
- Did Not Finish (Short Course): 1 people
- DQ (Disqualified): 4 people
- NC (Not Classified): 0 people
Last Updated on 27 January 2026 by the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
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- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
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- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
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Watches and sensors
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- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
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- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
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On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
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Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
