An Airlie Beach local and Hamilton Island fireman is making a name for himself as a serial podium finisher, claiming the second overall spot at the Ironman Cairns 70.3 earlier this month.
Ironman Dan McDonnell finished the gruelling 1.9km swim, 90km bike and a 21.1km run in 4:07:33, just 90 seconds behind winner and ex-professional Ironman Jamie Huggett
The 2022 Ironman was McDonnell’s second outing on the Cairns course, where just a year ago he competed in the sport for the first time, placing third in his age group of Male 18-24.
Coming off the back of another third-place finish for his age group at the 2021 Sunshine Coast 70.3 Ironman, McDonnell finally claimed a top spot finish with his performance in Cairns on June 9 – one he was “ecstatic to have achieved”.
“It feels like home turf because I grew up in Cairns, especially with all the family and friends there to support me,” McDonnell said.
“I think that was the major difference. I was so calm going into it – I spent the night before with family. It was that and another year of training, I think.”
McDonnell - who usually smashes through the running section of the ironman - spent the last year training up his swimming and biking.
As a youngster, he was a state-level cross country runner and revelled in the half-marathon distance presented by ironman.
“That was what the focus of the year of training was, and all three disciplines I did better: I swam better, I rode better and they set each other up,” McDonnell said.
“I stayed with the forward pack the entire time and when I got to the run, I got to work.”
McDonnell will move up into the 25 to 29 age group next year and hopes to attain a professional contract within the next six months.
Ironman athletes hit their prime in their late 20’s to early 30’s.
He’s now looking ahead to the Sunshine Coast 70.3 and a trip to the United States to compete in the Utah Ironman.
If he performs well, the chances are high the young Whitsunday star could make the grade.
He’ll be competing at the upcoming Airlie Beach Marathon as well, where he holds the first-place crown for the Half Marathon distance.
