Brazilian triathlete and social media influencer Mara Flavia has died after drowning during the swim portion of Ironman Texas on Saturday (April 18).
The 38-year-old athlete went missing during an open water swim in Lake Woodlands, which marked the first leg of the 140-mile endurance race.
Search and recovery timeline
According to fox26houston.com, authorities were alerted to a missing swimmer during the Ironman in Texas early Saturday, with the first call received around 6 a.m.
Officials from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Woodlands Township Fire Department responded to the incident in Lake Woodlands.
Woodlands Fire Chief Palmer Buck told Click2Houston that crews were formally notified of a “lost swimmer” around 7:30 a.m., prompting a coordinated search.
Rescue teams faced problems due to poor visibility underwater, complicating efforts to find the missing athlete.
Authorities said the swimmer’s body was located around 9 a.m. near Northshore Park and was found shortly after 9:30 a.m.
By the time rescue crews reached her, the body had sunk approximately 10 feet to the bottom of the lake, officials said.
The swimmer, later identified as Mara Flávia, was pronounced dead on shore after being pulled from the water.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incident and said the investigation is proceeding according to standard protocols.
Organizers confirm death
Ironman Texas organizers confirmed that one participant died during the swim.
“We regret to confirm the death of a competitor during the swim portion of today’s IRONMAN Texas Triathlon,” organizers said in a statement, offering condolences to the athlete’s family and thanking first responders.
The event includes a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run.
Who was Mara Flavia? Brazilian triathlete, influencer and former journalist
Mara Flávia was a Brazilian triathlete and social media influencer known for her dedication to endurance sports with over 60,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her fitness journey and competitions.
She regularly competed in Ironman distance events, including Ironman Texas, building a strong presence in the triathlon community.
Before turning to sports, she had a ten-year career in journalism and communications, working in radio, television and Record TV, along with roles in public relations and corporate communications, including for the Brazilian Republican Party.
