A Belgian Half Ironman World Champion
Jelle Geens has become the first belgian ever to win the Half Ironman World Championship title.
The Belgian swam, biked and ran the 70.3 miles that make up a half Ironman in just over three and a half hours, beating Hayden Wilde and Léo Bergère for the gold medal. Experience has taught Geens to take it easy at the beginning of the half marathon. The old adage is true: slow and steady does win the race.
“This is only my first world title, this is only the beginning,” the rightfully proud Belgian said after having defeated the two Olympian medallists in his first half Ironman. Not to mention that he did so in style, taking the time to kiss his partner Kate before crossing the finish line.
Between his title, Claire Michel’s victory and Marten Van Riel’s T100 title, more and more Belgians are leaving their marks on the world of triathlon, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.