Cascais Ironman

Race Date: 18 October 2025

An Ironman triathlon is a major achievement for anyone. To do your first Ironman without ever having done the individual distances - swim, bike run - is a remarkable effort, but that's what Mags Gough did. Thanks to Nick Gough for this following race report: On Saturday 18th October Mags Gough was in Cascais, Portugal for her first attempt at an Ironman triathlon. For the uninitiated that comprises a 3.8km open water swim, 180km cycle followed by a marathon. Mags set off early into the rising sun over Cascais bay and made short work of the swim, emerging on target pace after 1 hour 21 minutes. After a short transition it was out on the bike course which included laps of the Portuguese F1 circuit at Estoril. She ate up the miles looking comfortable and consistent throughout, completing the cycle leg in 6.42, 18 minutes up on target. The final section, the run, would be by Mags own admission “not my favourite part” but she threw herself into it and despite mounting fatigue and the passage towards night came through to ring the bell in a stunning time of 14 hours 29 minutes. A superb effort comprising her longest ever swim, longest ever bike and first ever marathon all back to back.