Morning endurance fans…

What a season this has already been. From Kristian Blummenfelt laying waste to the field in Texas and Sam Laidlow defending his Roth crown to breakout stars like Tilda Månsson and Alanis Siffert forcing their way into the conversation, 2026 has delivered more than its fair share of drama, dominance and surprise.

So, with triathlon taking a rare mid-summer breather, today’s Daily Split looks back at the moments that have defined the year so far. We have picked ten of the very best – the performances, breakthroughs and battles that have made this season one to remember, with the biggest races of all still to come.

Here’s what we have lined up for you today…

🏆 CHALLENGING: Cassandre Beaugrand is on the start list for WTCS Weihai as she seems to have confirmed her bid for the championship title. Read HERE.

🤕 INJURED: Devastated ‘The Championship’ winner Harry Palmer has been forced to end his season early after suffering a hip injury. Read HERE.

🚴‍♂️ RECOVERY: World No.3 Mika Noodt has spoken of the mental scars which remain following his horror collision with an ambulance. Read HERE.

💪 EVOLVING: Sam Long has spoken of the intense juggling act that he now has to manage between his training and hectic family life. Read HERE.

😎 VISION: The PTO has backed the use of wearable tech by naming Meta as the ‘Official AI Wearables Partner’ of the T100 World Tour. Read HERE.

Henri Schoeman and Natalie Van Coevorden claimed victory in the men’s and women’s professional races at IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu, with both athletes leading from start to finish to take the wins.

South Africa’s Schoeman made it back-to-back IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu Lapu victories, crossing the line in 4:08:53, almost four minutes ahead of Sebastian Fuchs (AUT), with Ben Hamilton (NZL) third.

Australia’s Van Coevorden was winning her third IRONMAN 70.3 race of the year, with victory in the Philippines following visits to the top step of the podium at IRONMAN 70.3 Vitoria-Gasteiz and IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney.

MEN’S RESULTS: (Swim 1.9KM - Bike 90km - Run 21.1km)
🥇 Henri Schoeman (RSA) – 27:24 - 2:10:10 - 1:26:16 = 4:08:53
🥈 Sebastian Fuchs (AUS) – 35:34 - 2:09:37 - 1:22:20 = 4:12:52
🥉 Ben Hamilton (NZL) – 32:35 - 2:10:02 - 1:27:07 = 4:14:35

WOMEN’S RESULTS: (Swim 1.9KM - Bike 90km - Run 21.1km)
🥇 Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS) – 33:33 - 2:24:22 - 1:27:29 = 4:30:12
🥈 Charlotte McShane (AUS) – 33:37 - 2:37:13 - 1:31:17 = 4:47:34
🥉 Paige Cranage (AUS) – 42:03 - 2:37:38 - 1:28:24 = 4:53:18

Romania’s Madalina Florea and Kenya’s Philemon Ombogo Kiriago ran out as impressive winners at the 53rd edition of the iconic Sierre-Zinal in the Swiss Alps.

Serving as both a Golden Trails and WMRA World Cup race, the level of competition was incredibly high.

It is a hugely important race for this year’s World Cup, coming at a pivotal time in the competition with many of the main players in the World Cup taking part.

After nine epic stages of racing, Demi Vollering has won the Tour de France Femmes for the second time in her career, making history as the first rider to win two editions of the race.

The FDJ United-SUEZ rider sealed the overall victory by winning the final stage around Nice, as she dropped her main general classification rival, Kasia Niewiadoma, on the last ascent of the Col d’Èze with 16km to go before going solo to the finish on the Promenade des Anglais.

Read a full report on this story at Cycling Weekly HERE.

From Norwegian dominance to the return of old favourites and the emergence of some exciting new stars for the future, the 2026 triathlon season has so far thrilled, entertained and left us all thirsty for more.

With the action taking a mid-summer break this weekend, we thought it would be an apt time for the TRI247 team to pick its top ten moments of the campaign so far – a task that was easier said than done, given the level of incredible racing we have seen.

With the business end of the season now about to get underway, we know there is going to be even more fun to come, so let us whet your appetite with ten of the best so far from the class of 2026….

1: Kat Matthews – IRONMAN New Zealand
(March 6: Swim 53:30 – Bike 4:38:01 – Run 2:51:48 = 8:28:55)

Last year’s Pro Series winner was expected to fly out of the traps for the new season, and she did not disappoint as the British athlete put in a truly dominant display to take the tape at Taupō.

More than just a victory, this was an emphatic warning to her rivals that she meant business; anyone hoping to win honours in 2026 had better be at their best, because Matthews – driven by the near misses of previous seasons – was seemingly determined to win it all.

Sixth out of the water, she would take the lead on the bike and never look back, pulling steadily away on the run to complete the perfect start to 2026, winning by just under seven minutes.

2: Kristian Blummenfelt – IRONMAN Texas
(April 18: Swim 48:33 – Bike 3:57:46 – Run 2:30:47 = 7:21:24)

Despite Big Blu struggling in his opening race at Taupō, he had given a glimpse of what was to come when recording a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Hayden Wilde and Jelle Geens at the IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong – but, in truth, nobody really expected something this special.

He defended his Texas title with a performance that screamed power, endurance and a determination to thrust himself back into contention for this season’s major titles and honours, having missed out so narrowly on the worlds in 2025.

Against an incredibly stacked field, he not only won, but he annihilated his rivals, setting a new course record of 7:21:24, which was only seconds outside of his own world best of 7:21:12, which he recorded at IRONMAN Cozumel in 2022.

More than a statement, this was a punch in the face of his rivals to make sure everyone knew that he meant business.

3: Solveig Løvseth – IRONMAN Texas
(April 18: Swim 56:44 – Bike 4:20:22 – Run 2:49:52 = 8:11:09)

Having stunned her rivals with an incredible Kona World Championship victory last season, the big question this season was whether Løvseth could follow up that success and prove that she was not simply a one-title wonder.

It didn’t take long for such questions to be answered… and answered emphatically, as the Norwegian hunted down long-time leader Taylor Knibb and powered her way to a win that will have made the whole sport sit up and realise that she is definitely here to stay.

At one point, it even looked as though Løvseth might break the course record of 08:10:34 set by Kat Matthews a year earlier, but she eased off in the final few kilometres and crossed in 08:11:09.

4: Vasco Vilaca – WTCS Samarkand
(April 25: Swim 18:04 – Bike 54:26 – Run 30:09 = 1:43:33)

Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca had been an unlucky loser so many times during his WTCS career – nine podiums without a win – that even he was starting to wonder if that elusive victory was ever going to come.

His big chance came at Samarkand in the opening WTCS race of the season, and this time, when the opportunity presented itself, he was finally able to grab it with both hands – demonstrating a power-packed finish to see off Germany’s Henry Graf and Canada’s Charles Paquet to take a most deserved success.

Yes, the big three of Hayden Wilde (NZL), Matt Hauser (AUS) and Alex Yee (GBR) were missing, but Vilaca had shown he was able to get the job done, and despite recent defeats to Hauser, he remains in pole position to win the championship this season.

5: Tilda Månsson – WTCS Yokohama
(May 16: Swim 20:10 – Bike 55:58 – Run 32:47 = 1:50:13)

Sweden’s Tilda Månsson produced one of the shocks of the season when she outsprinted former world champion Beth Potter to secure what was undoubtedly the biggest win of her fledgling career at WTCS Yokohama.

Having only turned 22 a few days before, she stunned the experienced Brit by first holding on when Potter attempted to kick away in the closing stages and then went for it herself, powering toward the finish.

Since then, she has finished second at WTCS Quiberon and picked up two third places in Hamburg and London, proving that Yokohama was clearly no fluke, and she is certainly an athlete who has a huge career ahead.

6: Harry Palmer – The Championship
(May 24: Swim 22:23 – Bike 1:54:38 – Run 1:09:55 = 3:31:55)

Undoubtedly the biggest win of his career, British athlete Harry Palmer’s brilliant win at Challenge Family’s ‘The Championship’ sparked a run of success which has only been halted by a frustrating hip injury.

Having struggled at the tail end of last year, he was in need of some inspiration as he headed over to Samorin, admitting after the race that he had ‘low expectations’ and that lining up was a ‘roll of the dice’ which he felt he had to make.

His win clearly sparked something within, as he went on to finish third at 70.3 Sweden before claiming a third consecutive IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea title; however, his season is now finished due to a hip problem, and he will be hoping that the magic returns come 2027.

7: Cassandre Beaugrand – WTCS Alghero
(May 30: Swim 19:45 – Bike 59:16 – Run 33:26 = 1:53:49)

Having missed the opening race of the WTCS season in Samarkand due to illness and then opting to focus on her running – where she set a new French national record at 5,000m – little was expected from Cassandre Beaugrand when she lined up in Alghero.

It seems almost foolish to say it now, but there were concerns that having spent so much time on the track, the French superstar might not be at her best in the multi-sport format. Boy, how those doubters were made to eat their words by the 2024 Olympic gold medallist.

Her swim may have been rusty and unspectacular, and her transitions were a disaster, but she was able to manoeuvre herself into position on the bike and then give herself the opportunity to attack where she is at her most lethal… on the run.

Easing her way through the field of runners, she proved too much for Potter and reigning world champion Lisa Tertsch (GER) to record what would be the first of three wins from three races in this season’s WTCS campaign.

8: Alanis Siffert – Challenge Roth
(July 5: Swim 52:03 – Bike 4:29:19 – Run 2:45:00 = 8:09:09)

While all the pre-race talk in Roth was focused around the battle of the Brits – Kat Matthews and Lucy Charles-Barclay – very few people, if any, were talking about Swiss youngster Alanis Siffert.

An athlete who, despite having won five of her 12 races in 2025, had continued to compete under the radar of mainstream coverage would, however, go on to secure the biggest win of her career and ensure that her name is certainly mentioned as a potential threat in the future.

While Matthews struggled, an undercooked Charles-Barclay simply didn’t have enough in the tank to reel in the 24-year-old who has now won four of her six races this season, including last week’s Alpe d’Huez for the third consecutive season.

9: Sam Laidlow – Challenge Roth
(July 5: Swim 46:57 – Bike 3:54:58 – Run 2:36:53 = 7:21:04)

In stark contrast to Siffert, it seemed that everyone was talking about Sam Laidlow as the reigning Roth and former world champion lined up against his old foe Kristian Blummenfelt, who was making his debut at this most special of races.

Laidlow said before that it was going to take something special to beat the powerhouse Norwegian, and his prophetic words couldn’t have been closer to the truth as the duo battled it out in one of the most enthralling races of the season.

Having teamed up with German pair Jonas Schomburg and Rico Bogen in an attempt to drive as much distance and time in between them and race favourite Big Blu, it all came down to the run where Blummenfelt had just the 12 minutes to make up on the leaders.

Schomburg and Bogen would be caught, but Laidlow showed just what he is made of with a performance of true grit and sheer defiance that drove him to a glorious retention of his title.

10: Paula Findlay – IRONMAN Lake Placid
(July 19: Swim 55:43 – Bike 4:50:26 – Run 2:55:49 = 8:47:43)

While many middle-distance athletes would like to think they can handle the change of pace and distance at a full IRONMAN, it is rare that triathletes drop straight in and complete a victory of the magnitude that Canada’s Paula Findlay managed at Lake Placid.

Having won the 70.3 Pennsylvania earlier in the season, this feat was all the more impressive as she took to the full-distance category as if she had been born to race there.

Taking control on the bike alongside Spain’s Marta Sánchez, the duo then started the run together before Findlay stretched away and never once looked like she was going to stumble. With Kona qualification secured, the question now is: can she do it against the best of the best?

You can’t keep Sam Laidlow out of the news headlines for too long, and the charismatic Frenchman is ready to race again after his Challenge Roth heroics last month.

Having clearly dug deep into his hurt locker to secure the win ahead of Kristian Blummenfelt, he allowed himself a few days off before now setting his sights on some Kona prep at Challenge Samarkand – which will come 70 days after his roller coaster at Roth.

Posting on his Instagram this week, he confirmed that he will be ‘trying a few things out’ and will be joined by his partner Milan Agnew.

“Got the itch to pin a number on again,” he writes. “Beating Big Blue in Roth meant I treated myself to a 2-week break. 🍻 After a few weeks of decent training, though, I’d figured there were some things I wanted to test in an actual race before Kona.

“I’m excited to be racing Challenge Samarkand on September 13th along with my better half @milanagnew

“A new race, somewhere I’ve never been, and a good chance to see where the body is at after a block of work.”

Good posture is one of the simplest yet most overlooked aspects of triathlon running. Poor posture can quietly reduce efficiency, increase fatigue and place unnecessary stress on muscles and joints.

WHY POSTURE MATTERS: Running posture affects how efficiently your body moves. Good alignment allows you to:

STAND TALL WITHOUT BECOMING RIGID: Efficient running posture begins with a tall but relaxed position. You should always aim to keep your head neutral, look ahead rather than down, maintain a long spine, relax your shoulders and keep your chest open. Avoid forcing yourself completely upright. Instead, think about growing taller while remaining relaxed.

LEAN FROM THE ANKLES: Forward lean is beneficial, but only when it originates from the ankles rather than the waist. Leaning correctly helps you to maintain momentum, reduce braking forces and encourage smoother foot placement. Bending excessively at the hips often leads to slower, less efficient running.

RELAX YOUR SHOULDERS AND ARMS: Upper-body tension wastes valuable energy. Focus on:

IMPORTANCE OF CORE STRENGTH: Your core stabilises your body throughout every stride. Strong core muscles help to maintain upright posture, reduce excessive torso movement, improve force transfer and delay fatigue. Exercises such as planks, dead bugs and side planks are excellent additions to any triathlon programme.

BETTER POSTURE = BETTER BREATHING: Slumped posture restricts chest expansion. Good posture allows for fuller breaths, better diaphragm movement, improved oxygen delivery and more comfortable running at sustained efforts. This becomes increasingly important during longer races where breathing efficiency directly influences endurance.

REMEMBER THE SIMPLE RULES: Simple cues are often more effective than overanalysing every movement. Try reminding yourself to:

Indian ultra-athlete Sufiya Sufi has completed her latest endurance challenge by beating her own record time running the 4,167km from Kanyakumari to Kashmir in 68 days and 23 hours.

Her previous cross-India record, set in 2019, saw her complete the journey in the opposite direction – from Kashmir to Kanyakumari – in 87 days. Her record time means she now holds SIX Guinness World Records.

And she did not stop there… because after Kashmir, she then went on to complete her mission by reaching the Karakoram mountain range – her total 5,000km journey taking 86 days and two hours.

Truly incredible…

“We DID IT,” she posted on Instagram. “From Kanyakumari to the mighty Karakoram, 5,000 km of consistency, pain, patience, and pure determination. And it took 86 days. 2 hours.

“Today, I proudly become the first human ever to run from Kanyakumari to the Karakoram. This was never just a run. It was my tribute to our brave soldiers and to everyone who believed in me when the road felt impossible.

“This one is for you. 🇮🇳”

Together, we go the distance. — @247_endurance 🏃‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏊‍♂️