David McNamee: Background, career highlights, quotes
He's the most successful British male triathlete at the Ironman World Champs… yes, it's David McNamee. Here's everything you need to know about Scotland's finest…
David McNamee is, so far, the only British man to make the podium at Kona. And he did so twice. Let’s meet Scotland’s finest…
Who is David McNamee?
Hailing from Ayrshire but now resident in Catalunya, David McNamee took up triathlon as “a bored swimmer who always loved to go for a run”. His prowess on two feet has served him well ever since in a career where medals have rained down on him.
Starting out in short-course racing, McNamee enjoyed early success, grabbing an U23 world championship silver in 2011. Having never set the ITU circuit ablaze, he moved up distance-wise in his mid-twenties, a decision that surprised many with the Rio Olympics just 18 months away.
He was rational in his reasoning, explaining that, given the dominance of Alistair and Jonny Brownlee brothers, he was by no means a shoo-in for that final Olympic slot in the Team GB squad. McNamee believed he could prosper elsewhere.
He was right. In the spring of 2015, the Scot took bronze in Mallorca on his Ironman 70.3 debut. Two months later, he won his second-ever full-distance race, a dominant run securing him the Ironman UK title.
But it was in Kona where McNamee truly forged his reputation and made his indelible mark in the history books. In 2017, he took third place at the world championships, becoming the first British man to stand on the podium in Hawaii.
He repeated the feat the following October – and this was an even more impressive performance. Having started the run down in 19th place, McNamee powered through the field to claim his second bronze, in the process posting the third-fastest time in Kona history.
The two men ahead of him – Patrick Lange and Bart Aernouts – were the first to ever go sub-eight hours.
Unable to claim a hat-trick of medals the following year after sickness forced his retirement, and then finishing 13th in his last Ironman Worlds in 2024, McNamee never did rediscover those Hawaiian heights.
McNamee’s focus switched to the T100 series in 2024, where he would finish 17th overall, his last-ever pro race being the grand final in Dubai in November.
How old is David McNamee?
David McNamee was born on April 20, 1988, making him 36 years of age.
David McNamee’s career highlights
May 2010: European Cup silver in Strathclyde
Taking advantage of racing on home soil, the Scot records the first podium finish of his nascent elite career, coming home ahead of future stars Aaron Royle and Vincent Luis.
September 2011: A world championship silver
At the ITU Grand Final in Beijing, McNamee takes silver in the U23 world championship race, finishing five seconds behind compatriot Matt Sharp. Bronze medallist Tom Bishop makes it an all-Brit podium.
June 2012: A maiden ITU top-10 appearance
In his 10th ITU World Triathlon Series event as an elite racer, McNamee claims his first-ever top-10 placing in the series, in the process posting the race’s second-fastest bike leg.
July 2014: Strong showing at the Glasgow Commonwealths
Racing in the colours of Scotland, McNamee finishes seventh on home territory in a sterling field that includes the Brownlee brothers, South African Richard Murray and Australia’s Ryan Bailie.
McNamee also finishes in seventh position in the mixed relay on the same day.
May 2015: Medal-winning move to middle distance
Despite the Rio Olympics beginning to appear on the horizon, At the age of 26, McNamee changes tack and sets his sights on long-course racing.
While many raise a quizzical eyebrow, it proves to be a wise decision as the Scot takes bronze on his Ironman 70.3 debut in Mallorca. He repeats the feat a month later in Kraichgau in south-west Germany (see main image).
July 2015: A golden time in Lancashire
In only his second Ironman race (he finished seventh at Ironman South Africa in March), McNamee breaks the tape in Bolton to become the new Ironman UK champion.
In the process, he qualifies for his first world championships in Kona, where he finishes 11th in October.
May 2016: A bronze at Ironman Lanzarote
Further enhancement of his Ironman reputation comes with finishing third in the Canaries, just one place behind reigning world champ Jan Frodeno.
McNamee follows this fine performance with a pair of half-distance victories in the Challenge series, in Galway and Poznan.
October 2017: A proud climb onto the Kona podium
Five races, five medals. It’s a fine season for McNamee. After bronze at Ironman South Africa – plus 70.3 wins in Mallorca and Dublin, either side of victory at Challenge Salou – McNamee flies off to Hawaii for his third Kona experience.
He returns home with a bronze in his luggage, beaten only by Germany’s Patrick Lange and Lionel Sanders of Canada.
October 2018: History repeating – just quicker
After another successful season (70.3 gold in Marbella and silver in Barcelona), McNamee repeats his Kona bronze of 12 months earlier. However, any disappointment at not improving the colour of his medal is countered by breaking his Kona personal best by more than 10 minutes.
Indeed, his time of 8:01:09 would have won him gold in 2017 and is the third-fastest time ever posted at Kona. Ahead of him, Lange and Bart Aernouts become the first to go sub-eight hours in Hawaii.
October 2019: Medal hat-trick not to be in Kona
Continuing to race both half- and full-Iron events, McNamee takes 70.3 silver in Barcelona and Vichy earlier in the season.
However, his hopes of a third successive Kona podium in October are dashed when he has to retire mid-race through sickness.
August 2021: Resumption of hostilities with bronze at Ironman Germany
After a couple of COVID-affected seasons, McNamee returns to an Ironman podium with bronze in Germany. He’s not won an Ironman medal since, though.
May 2022: Top 10 at the 2021 World Champs
Places ninth at the postponed 2021 Ironman World Champs in St George, Utah, USA.
September 2023: Ends the year on the podium
Takes second place at Ironman Italy in the last race of a season that’s seen six top 10 finishes from seven starts
April 2024: T100 top five
Following a DNF in the first T100 round in Miami in March, he take fourth place in Singapore. Two months later he places 18th in San Francisco.
July 2024: Spanish silver
Admits to struggling with the heat on the run at Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz but hangs in for second place… and a spot in Kona.
October 2024: A magical 13th
Crosses the line in 13th, but after two consecutive DNFs in 2019 and 2022 the result is “even more magical.”
November 2024: Calls it time after 20 years
Announces that T100 Dubai will be his last race as a pro. He finishes 12th and bows out with an incredible 20-year career.
David McNamee in quotes
On relinquishing Olympic dreams by upgrading to long-course competition: “The suffering of Ironman was more appealing than the suffering of short-course racing. I’ve always been better when it’s drawn-out suffering. That’s what I excel at!”
On winning Ironman UK in only his second full-distance race: “I knew there was an outside chance to make the podium, but to come out on top is fantastic. I lost a nutrition bottle and one of my aero bars, so struggled at the back of the bike. However, I found my run legs!”
On being forced to retire before the run at Kona in 2019 when in search of a third successive world champs medal: “It’s been a tough week on the big island. It’s a thin line between top shape and being sick.”
On announcing his retirement from pro triathlon after 20 years: The journey and the people I’ve met have meant more to me than any race result. Thank you to everyone who have made the last 20 years so special. Triathlon has allowed me to have experiences I could never have dreamt about growing up. However even wonderful things have to come to an end. Physically and mentally I know that this time for me is now.”
What’s next for David McNamee?
Discovering what life is like without a training schedule!
Nige Tassell
Freelance sportswriter 
