On Sunday, April 26, athletes from Mexico and Argentina took the top spots in the Ironman 70.3 held in Los Cabos.
Amalia Sánchez of Mexico City was the first woman to cross the finish line, clocking 4 hours, 47 minutes and 21 seconds. The victory marked a return to form for Sánchez, who also won the event in 2017. “I am very happy and excited. I came nine years ago, I won it, and this time I relived that moment. I am fulfilled. I am complete,” she said.
Sánchez is no stranger to international competition. Thirteen years ago, she represented Mexico in the 20–24 age group, winning gold in London.
In the men’s race, Argentina’s Mateo Bustos won with a time of 4 hours, 12 minutes and 43 seconds in his first appearance in Los Cabos, now in its eighth edition. The event returned after a three-year hiatus.
A total of 1,360 athletes from 35 countries took part. Men made up just over 77 percent of competitors. The largest contingents came from Mexico, the United States, Canada, Argentina and France.
Hot weather conditions proved to be one of the main challenges. High temperatures and intense sun exposure required extra endurance, particularly during the cycling and running segments.
Sánchez said the heat was especially difficult in the final stretch, while Bustos emphasized the importance of proper hydration throughout the race. The Ironman 70.3 includes a 1.9-kilometer swim, a 90-kilometer bike ride and a 21.1-kilometer run, testing athletes’ endurance at every stage.
Beyond the competition, organizers estimated the event generated an economic impact of 130 million pesos (about $7.4 million) for the Los Cabos region.
