Living in Ankara, Selen Eryüce became the champion in her Age Group by surpassing all her competitors in the ‘Ironman 140.6’ competition held in Florida, USA. With this success, Eryüce earned the right to compete in the 2025 World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Haşim KILIÇ
The Ironman 140.6, one of the world’s most grueling endurance races, took place on November 2 in Florida, USA. This legendary competition, featuring a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a 42.2 km marathon, saw Selen Eryüce dominate her Age Group to secure the championship title. Her remarkable performance earned her a coveted spot at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, set for October 2025. In an exclusive interview with Démarche, Eryüce shared her journey and the key moments behind her incredible achievement.
Could you tell us a little about yourself? Where do you live, and what do you do for a living?
I was born in Ankara and still live here. I only left my hometown in 2001 when I studied for my MBA at the University of Washington in Seattle and later for my post in Los Angeles as a Commercial Consul representing Turkey. I am currently working at the Ministry of Trade.
Could you tell us about your interest in sports? When did you start, and what sports have you practiced?
When I returned to Ankara from Seattle in my early 30s, I discovered mountain biking, a sport that brought me immense joy by combining the beauty of nature with physical challenge. During the winters, I turned to skiing, but after tearing my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) twice, I spent nearly two years in rehabilitation and, unfortunately, had to give up skiing.
I continued mountain biking and eventually added running to my routine. However, as running is one of the most injury-prone sports, I sustained injuries that led me to incorporate swimming, a low-impact alternative, into my training. This combination of biking, running, and swimming naturally introduced me to the triathlon—a sport I hadn’t initially considered.
In 2017, I began competing in short-distance triathlons, including sprint, Olympic, and half distances. Then, in 2023, I achieved a major milestone by completing my first full Ironman in Emilia Romagna, Italy, conquering a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km bike ride, and a 42.2 km run consecutively.
What is your daily sports routine or training system like?
I work closely with a coach who designs my training program weekly, tailored to my target races. I don’t take full rest days—instead, on lighter days, I focus on swimming and strength training. My weekly training volume typically starts at a minimum of 13 hours and can climb to as much as 23 hours during peak weeks.
How long have you been participating in Ironman races? What motivates you to compete in Ironman races?
Since 2018, I’ve been competing in Ironman events, but 2023 marked a major milestone as I completed my first full-distance Ironman, conquering the iconic 140.6 miles. This year, I successfully participated in both a half and a full-distance triathlon, alongside various individual swimming, biking, and running events throughout the season.
What drives me through this demanding journey is not just the race day but the entire process—the training, the discipline, and the “objectivity and rationality” at its core. In this world, performance speaks for itself. There’s the clock, and there’s you. No need for connections or external influence to climb the rankings or claim a title. It’s a meritocracy in its purest form. My results reflect my effort, skill, and speed, untainted by subjective biases, personal ties, or politics.
How did you prepare for the last race?
Preparing for a full-distance Ironman is as demanding as the race itself. I dedicated an entire year to training, both physically and mentally. The journey required significant sacrifices, including time away from family and friends. My preparation involved grueling sessions—sometimes running for 3 hours or cycling for over 7 hours in a single day. Social activities took a backseat, and I prioritized recovery by ensuring I was in bed by 10:00 p.m. each night to be ready for the next day’s challenges.
What are your goals going forward?
By winning the Ironman Florida Age Group Championship this year, I secured my spot at the prestigious Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in 2025. This elite event brings together only the best and fastest athletes from around the globe. My goal is to finish in the top three of my age group—and, with determination, to achieve the ultimate dream of becoming a world champion in my category. A new training season now lies ahead, filled with fresh challenges and opportunities to push my limits further.
