👋 Welcome back
Morning, endurance fans…
The countdown is almost over, the lava fields are calling, and Kona is ready to turn up the heat. The IRONMAN World Championships take centre stage this weekend, with the men and women chasing glory on the same day and enough heavyweight contenders to make picking two winners a very hazardous occupation. Expect bold moves, brutal battles and a marathon that could turn even the best-laid plans upside down.
So who has the form, the firepower and the Hawaii pedigree to get the job done? We’ve dug into recent results, world rankings and previous Kona performances to build our power rankings for both races – sorting the Crown Chasers from the Hunting Pack, identifying the threats in the Danger Zone and picking a Party Crasher who could upset the lot.
Ten athletes in each race, two world titles up for grabs… Let the arguments begin!
Here’s what we have lined up for you today…
LATEST: The endurance news headlines.
PREVIEW: The Kona power rankings you need to see.
TIPS: The swim training designed for triathletes.
ENDURANCE: Caroline Livesey’s epic NC500 documentary.
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🏃🏼 Quick splits
Alex Yee returned to form with a win at the Rome World Cup. [World Triathlon]
ROME WORLD CUP: Olympic champion Alex Yee returns to form with a running masterclass, and Isakova wins a sprint thriller in Italy. Read HERE.
ROME WORLD CUP: Great Britain prove a class apart as Alex Yee takes second gold of the weekend with stunning Mixed Relay win. Read HERE.
ROME WORLD CUP: Alex Yee believes his stunning return to form was only ‘a small glimpse of what could be’ after he stormed to gold. Read HERE.
IRONMAN BARCELONA: IRONMAN Calella-Barcelona was cancelled less than 24 hours before its start time due to weather warnings. Read HERE.
The world’s best full-distance triathletes will be in Kona this weekend. [IRONMAN]
🏁 The BIG race preview: IRONMAN World Championship, Kona 10/6/26
The world’s best full-distance triathletes have gathered on the Big Island to do battle for the sport’s BIGGEST prize this weekend as their Kona dreams and ambitions are put to the ultimate test amid Hawaii’s heat and humidity.
Stacked to the brim with top-class athletes, both the men’s and women’s fields promise to deliver some incredible racing – while we know from past experiences just how much drama, and indeed disaster, this Kona course can deliver when it bares its teeth.
So buckle in, grab your protein shake, and let’s have a look through the line-ups to see if we can predict who will break the tape come Saturday.
The Daily Split team has crunched the numbers and compared this season’s full-distance results, recent race form, the latest PTO world rankings and previous performances in Kona to build our predictions.
Reputation alone wasn’t enough: athletes needed results to support their case… Although it has to be said that the heart did rule the head on one or two of our picks, as ‘gut feeling’ also nudged its way into the equation.
Below are the ten athletes per gender who we think can challenge for honours this weekend. Broken up into three distinct groups, which determine their level of potential, we have the ‘Crown Chasers’, ‘The Glory Hunters’, and those who reside in the ‘Danger Zone’… while there is also a potential party crasher added in – you know, that one athlete who you just can’t seem to shake a feeling about.
We have also added in a poll for each of the races, so don’t forget to let us know who you think will be the winners come Saturday on the Big Island…
📆 DATE: Saturday, October 10, 2026.
⏰ MEN’S START: 06:20 (17:20 BST/ 18:20 CEST/ 12:20 EDT/ 11:20 CDT/ 09:20 PDT/ 03:20 AEST/ 02:50 ACST/ 00:20 AWST/ 05:20 NZDT).
⏰ WOMEN’S START: 06:30 (17:30 BST/ 18:30 CEST/ 12:30 EDT/ 11:30 CDT/ 09:30 PDT/ 03:30 AEST/ 03:00 ACST/ 00:30 AWST/ 05:30 NZDT).
📍 VENUE: Kailua Pier, Kona, Hawaii.
📺 LIVE COVERAGE: Via the IRONMAN YouTube page HERE.
IRONMAN Women’s World Championship:
Solveig Løvseth is flanked by Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the podium last year. [IRONMAN]
THE CROWN CHASERS:
Solveig Løvseth: The defending Kona champion has reinforced her credentials with victories at Texas and Hamburg, followed by fourth at 70.3 Worlds. Proven success in Hawaii and outstanding full-distance form make the Norwegian a huge favourite to follow up last year’s shock win with a much-desired second title.
Taylor Knibb: Knibb arrives as the newly crowned 70.3 world champion, while she also displayed her full-distance credentials with a second place at Texas behind Solveig Løvseth earlier in the season. Her fourth-place finish at Kona in 2023 showed potential; her collapse last year will fuel her fire for better this time around.
Lucy Charles-Barclay: A Lanzarote victory and second place at Roth show Charles-Barclay remains a major force over the full distance. Her 2023 Kona title and four runner-up finishes provide exceptional Hawaii pedigree, despite last year’s DNF. That blow-out, just as with Knibb, will make her want this title all the more.
Laura Philipp won the IRONMAN World Championship in 2024. [IRONMAN]
THE GLORY HUNTERS:
Laura Philipp: Philipp’s victories at Kalmar and Zell am See, alongside a second at Hamburg, demonstrate strong form heading into Kona. The 2024 world champion has twice finished third in Hawaii, making her one of the most convincing threats to our leading trio. So close to making it into the top category.
Kat Matthews: Matthews came within 35 seconds of winning Kona last year, producing a remarkable 2:47:23 marathon in the process. Victory in New Zealand confirms her capabilities, but fourth at Roth and 11th at 70.3 Worlds leaves her recent form slightly behind the top bracket as an Achilles injury continues to bother her.
Julie Derron: The world No.2 has won IRONMAN Switzerland and Vancouver T100 this season, while also taking silver at the 70.3 Worlds with a 1:13:04 run. That combination makes her a serious challenger, with her lack of Kona experience the principal reason for keeping her outside the leading three.
Hannah Berry was fourth in Kona last year. [IRONMAN]
THE DANGER ZONE:
Hannah Berry: Fourth in Kona last year, Berry has already shown she can deliver against the strongest field in Hawaii. Second at New Zealand and September’s Sunshine Coast 70.3 victory support her inclusion, although her seventh at a stacked Texas highlights the improvement needed to challenge for the title.
Lisa Perterer: Perterer’s fifth place on her Kona debut last year gives her a solid foundation for another strong Hawaii performance. Fifth at Hamburg and Lake Placid, followed by second at Zell am See, point towards a consistent contender capable of capitalising if the favourites falter.
Marjolaine Pierré: Pierré’s fifth place at the 70.3 Worlds, victory at Pays d’Aix and fourth at Hamburg demonstrate the form to trouble bigger names. Fourth at the 2024 Worlds in Nice establishes her championship credentials, but 32nd in Kona last year leaves questions over her Hawaii suitability.
THE PARTY CRASHER:
Paula Findlay: Findlay won her full-distance debut at Lake Placid with a 2:55:49 marathon, adding to a season that includes victory at 70.3 Pennsylvania and fourth at Vancouver T100. The world No.12 has the credentials to surprise, but one IRONMAN finish and no previous Kona start make her a fascinating wildcard.
Who will win the women's IRONMAN World Championship?
IRONMAN Men’s World Championship:
The Norwegian trio of Casper Stornes, Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt took an incredible 1-2-3 at last year’s championship in Nice. [IRONMAN]
THE CROWN CHASERS:
Kristian Blummenfelt: Victory at Texas, second at Roth, and silver at the 70.3 Worlds give Blummenfelt the strongest current-form case in the field. The world No.4 has already made the Kona podium, although his disappointing 2024 performance shows Hawaii remains unfinished business. Sam Laidlow lies in wait.
Sam Laidlow: Laidlow’s Roth victory in 7:21:04 and September win at Samarkand underline his race-winning potential. The 2023 world champion was also Kona runner-up in 2022, giving him the credentials to turn his aggressive racing into another title challenge. He will have a plan to beat ‘Big Blu’… but will it work?
Gustav Iden: The 2022 Kona champion reminded everyone of his capabilities with fourth place and the fastest bike split at the 70.3 Worlds. His uneven full-distance season raises questions, but recent improvement and proven success in Hawaii keep him in our top three… taking the place of injured champion Casper Stornes.
Jonas Schomburg proved his credentials with a win at Kalmar in August. [IRONMAN]
THE GLORY HUNTERS:
Jonas Schomburg: Schomburg’s Kalmar victory in 7:22:57, backed by a 2:34:36 marathon, provides compelling evidence of his full-distance potential. He also finished eighth at the 70.3 Worlds, with his lack of Kona experience keeping him outside the top bracket. Will he work with Laidlow to stifle Blummenfelt as they did at Roth?
Marten Van Riel: A Lake Placid victory and second place at Texas establish Van Riel as a serious contender over the full distance. Fourth at last year’s Worlds in Nice adds championship credibility, but his Kona debut presents a fresh test of pacing and heat management that has caught out so many before him.
Matthew Marquardt: Has built an impressive season around victory in South Africa and seconds at Lake Placid and Kalmar. Those results earn him a place among the main challengers, but he will need the race of his life if he is to become the first American man to win at Kona since Tim DeBoom’s 2001, 2002 double.
Magnus Ditlev finished second at Kona in 2024. [IRONMAN]
THE DANGER ZONE:
Magnus Ditlev: Second at Kona in 2024, Ditlev has already demonstrated that his formidable bike strength can underpin a Hawaii title challenge. Sixth at Roth and 11th at the shortened Frankfurt race this season temper expectations, placing him among the dangerous contenders with something to prove.
Menno Koolhaas: Fifth at Kona in 2024 and fourth at Roth this summer, Koolhaas combines course experience with convincing full-distance form. His 2:30:33 Roth marathon makes him a credible threat, although winning would require another step forward in a career with just one victory in the last three seasons.
Patrick Lange: Three Kona titles make Lange the most accomplished Hawaii racer in our selection, while a 2:32:25 marathon at Roth shows his running remains a weapon. He may be past his best and looking forward to retirement, but what a story it would be if he could conjure something up in his final Kona race.
THE PARTY CRASHER:
Trevor Foley: Foley’s New Zealand victory, featuring a 2:35:42 marathon, and win at 70.3 Pennsylvania demonstrate the speed behind our wildcard selection. His 2024 DNF came at the end of the bike when he crashed while very much in the mix, and, like Marquardt, he will be looking to end the wait for a US male winner.
Who will win the men's IRONMAN World Championship?
👩💻 Trending in triathlon
There may have been more than the odd grumble from age-group athletes this summer after their IRONMAN races were cancelled due to extreme weather, but few in Barcelona last weekend could argue that it wasn’t the right call to cancel… especially when you see scenes like this video posted by Andrew Woodroffe.
Yeah… I think even the most frustrated athlete would agree they got this call right!!! ☔️ 🌊 🌪️
⏱️ Coaches corner: The best swim workouts for triathlon improvement
The most useful swim workouts for triathletes develop efficient technique, aerobic endurance, sustainable speed, and skills that transfer to open water racing. Simply swimming the same continuous distance every session can improve basic fitness, but it may eventually limit progress because technique and pace are rarely challenged in a structured way.
START WITH TECHNIQUE-FOCUSED SWIMMING: Swimming is highly dependent on technique. Increasing effort without efficient movement can simply make poor mechanics happen faster. Technique sessions can focus on body position, breathing, catch, rotation, and maintaining a controlled stroke. Useful drills might include:
Sculling.
Single-arm swimming.
Fingertip drag.
Catch-focused drills.
Side kicking.
Controlled breathing patterns.
The goal is to transfer the movement into normal freestyle, so follow drill repetitions with regular swimming.
USE AEROBIC INTERVALS TO BUILD ENDURANCE: Aerobic swimming should form a substantial part of training for many triathletes. Instead of always swimming one long continuous effort, divide the distance into repeatable intervals. For example:
10 × 100 metres.
5 × 200 metres.
4 × 400 metres.
3 × 600 metres.
The exact distance is less important than maintaining controlled effort and consistent technique. Short recovery periods allow you to reset your form without turning the session into repeated hard efforts.
INCLUDE LONGER STEADY SWIMMING: Continuous swimming still has value. Longer uninterrupted efforts help you become comfortable swimming without frequent wall breaks. This is particularly useful for athletes preparing for open-water events.
However, continuous swimming should remain controlled. If technique deteriorates significantly halfway through the session, repeatedly practising poor movement provides limited benefit. Beginners can gradually extend continuous swimming from shorter manageable durations instead of immediately trying to cover race distance without stopping.
USE SHORT REPETITIONS FOR SPEED: Triathletes do not need to become sprint swimmers, but some faster swimming can still be useful. Short repetitions can improve:
Stroke rate.
Coordination at higher speeds.
Ability to accelerate.
Confidence during race starts.
Ability to respond to changes in pace.
Examples include short 25 or 50-meter efforts with enough recovery to preserve technique. These sessions should not become uncontrolled thrashing. Fast swimming is most valuable when you can maintain effective mechanics while increasing effort.
PRACTICE RACE STARTS: Open water triathlon starts can be considerably more demanding than beginning a normal pool interval. You may need to accelerate to create space, respond to other swimmers, and then settle into a sustainable rhythm. Race start practice can reproduce this pattern. For example, begin an interval with a short hard effort before settling into a controlled race pace for the remainder.
PRACTICE SIGHTING: Pool swimming usually provides a line on the bottom to keep you moving straight. Open water does not. Triathletes need to lift their eyes briefly to identify buoys and confirm direction without significantly disrupting body position. Practice sighting periodically during normal freestyle. For example, sight every several strokes during selected repetitions while maintaining your normal breathing rhythm.
LEARN TO SWIM AROUND BUOYS: Open water sessions provide the most realistic opportunity. Practice approaching the turn, changing direction, and quickly returning to normal stroke rhythm. Do not focus only on the turn itself. Learn to sight early enough to approach the correct side and anticipate other swimmers.
PRACTICE DRAFTING SAFELY: Swimming behind or near another athlete can reduce the effort required to maintain a given speed when positioning is effective. Drafting is also a skill. You need to maintain a suitable distance without:
Repeatedly touching the swimmer ahead.
Becoming so focused on their feet that you stop checking direction.
Learn how different positions feel and continue sighting independently. The swimmer you follow may also be heading in the wrong direction. Drafting should complement navigation rather than replace it.
WORK ON BILATERAL BREATHING… BUT DON’T FORCE IT: Being comfortable breathing on either side can be useful in open water. Waves, sunlight, nearby competitors, and buoy position may make one side preferable during a race. That does not mean every triathlete must breathe every three strokes throughout the entire swim. Practice breathing on both sides, so you have options.
INCLUDE PULL WORK: Pull buoys can help swimmers focus on upper body mechanics and body position. Pull sets may also provide useful endurance work, but they should not replace normal swimming. Paddles can increase resistance and may help develop swim-specific strength. Introduce resistance gradually and prioritise good technique.
PRACTICE RACE PACE: As competition approaches, include some swimming at the pace or effort you expect to use during the race. It can be performed as:
Repeated 100s.
Repeated 200s.
Longer intervals.
Continuous swimming.
Open water efforts.
Start controlled. Triathletes often lose time by beginning the swim harder than they can sustain. The goal is to find an effort that allows you to swim effectively without creating unnecessary fatigue for the bike and run.
USE OPEN WATER SESSIONS: Pool fitness does not automatically create open-water confidence. When safe and practical, open water sessions can develop:
Sighting.
Navigation.
Buoy turns.
Drafting.
Group swimming.
Wetsuit familiarity.
Race starts.
Comfort without pool walls.
Athletes new to open water should progress gradually and follow appropriate safety practices.
SWIM WHEN SLIGHTLY FATIGUED: Triathletes need to combine swimming with cycling and running. Most important technique sessions should not always be completed when severely fatigued, but occasionally swimming after another appropriate workout can teach you to maintain mechanics when the body is not completely fresh. If fatigue causes major technique breakdown, the session may become less useful.
EXAMPLE TRIATHLON WORKOUT: A simple balanced session might look like this…
WARM UP: 300m easy – Prepare gradually.
TECHNIQUE: 6 × 50m drill/swim – Improve mechanics.
AEROBIC: 4 × 200m controlled – Build endurance.
RACE PACE: 6 × 100m – Sustainable speed.
FAST SWIM: 6 × 25m – Develop speed/coordination.
COOL DOWN: 200m easy – Controlled fnish.
🚴♂️ News from the saddle
Remco Evenepoel made history in Slovenia on Sunday when he took victory in the European Championships road race by the narrowest of margins over breakaway partner Giulio Ciccone (Italy). In doing so, he became the first rider ever to have won all the major road and time trial titles. No other rider has previously won the Euros, Worlds, Olympics and National titles in both disciplines.
Read the full story at Cycling Weekly HERE.
💪 Outside edge of endurance
Caroline Livesey cycled 830km and consumed more than 9,000 calories in just 32 hours and 21 minutes when she set a new world record time cycling non-stop around Scotland’s north coast – smashing the previous Fastest Known Time by more than four hours.
Now, her remarkable feat has been turned into a documentary film by her husband Mark, who doubled up as a key member of the support crew and official cameraman throughout the epic journey.
A two-time winner of the world-famous Patagonman, Caroline was not only looking to set a new world record but was also raising funds and awareness for the Peak Education Nepal charity, which she and Mark set up to provide children who cannot afford it with the opportunity to get an education in the South Asian nation.
Click the link below and let yourself be inspired by this incredible feat.
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Together, we go the distance. — @247_endurance 🏃♂️🚴♀️🏊♂️