Marino Vanhoenacker


Marino Vanhoenacker is a Belgian triathlete. On 3 July 2011, he set a world best time for Ironman full distance triathlon at the Ironman Triathlon at Klagenfurt in Austria, finishing after 7 hours, 45 minutes and 58 seconds, beating Luc Van Lierde's 1997 time of 7h50m27s. His time was subsequently beaten by Lionel Sanders at Ironman Arizona in 2016; the current world best time is held by Tim Don in a time of 7 hours, 40 minutes and 23 seconds at Ironman Brazil in May 2017.

Biography

Marino Vanhoenacker was born in Oostende in 1976. He studied as a dietician. He started competing duathlons and triathlons in 1997, and has since won 9 Ironman Triathlons. His first success was his fifth place in the 2001 Iron man of Florida, and the first medal followed in the 2003 Malaysia Iron Man. The first victory followed in 2005, with the Ironman of Florida.
His best results Vanhoenacker achieved in Ironman Austria in Klagenfurt, which he has won 6 times, beating the world record by compatriot Luc Van Lierde in 2011 by over four minutes. His split times were 46 minutes 49 seconds for the swim, 4 hours 15 minutes 37 seconds for the 180 km bike race, and 2 hours 39 minutes 24 seconds for the marathon.
Vanhoenacker used to work as a personal trainer and now works for the Belgian Army, where he has a special athlete's exemption. He now lives at Jabbeke, and has a daughter with his girlfriend Elke: Jirte, born in 2003.

Results