Brazilian influencer dies during IRONMAN Texas swim in The Woodlands

Age group athletes compete on the swim course during the 2026 Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Texas North American Championship on April 18, 2026 in The Woodlands, Texas.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images for IRONMAN

A Brazilian influencer died while competing in a Texas triathlon over the weekend.

Sources confirmed that Mara Flávia Araujo, 38, drowned during the swim portion of the IRONMAN Texas race in Lake Woodlands on Saturday. Araujo was identified by the Montgomery County Medical Examiner and by her partner, who spoke with KHOU 11.

The local fire department was called about a lost swimmer just after 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Araujo was recovered around 9:30 a.m. and pronounced dead, according to the Woodlands Fire Chief.

Shawn McDonald and his daughter had volunteered to help in the swim portion of the race. He explained in a social media post that they “paddled alongside swimmers, offering a hand — or a board — to anyone who needed a quick rest.” McDonald joined other volunteers when swimmers began yelling for help, saying another athlete had gone under the water and hadn’t resurfaced. Those helping with the rescue lost Araujo’s location, despite repeatedly diving down into the water for over an hour.

“She had gone into that water chasing something most people only dream of finishing. She trained for it. She showed up for it. She deserved to come out of it,” McDonald’s post reads in part. “To her family: we did everything we could. I am so deeply, genuinely sorry that it wasn’t enough. She will stay with me.”

When interviewed by KHOU11, Araujo’s partner described her as “the most beautiful person he ever met” and “a dedicated, strong, kind, and fantastic athlete.”

IRONMAN Texas released the following statement on Saturday:

We are saddened to confirm the death of a race participant during the swim portion of today’s IRONMAN Texas triathlon. We send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the athlete and will offer them our support as they go through this very difficult time. Our gratitude goes out to the first responders for their assistance. Out of respect for the athlete and their family, we will have no further comment.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has opened a death investigation, following the standard protocol for drowning cases within the county.