This is a preview of the race – click here to hear how Sam Long and Kirsten Kasper claimed the wins.

There are just two more IRONMAN 70.3 Pro Series races before the World Championships and this is the first of them as we head to scenic Boise, the capital of Idaho, and dubbed ‘the City of Trees’.

The first thing to say is that the initial start lists needed taking with a very big pinch of salt as there were plenty of names on there who also raced IRONMAN Lake Placid on Sunday.

But we’ve got a clearer idea now – more on that below – and here’s all you need to know…

Start times and how to watch live

IRONMAN 70.3 Boise will take place on Saturday 25 July. The men’s professional race begins at 06:30 local time (which is Mountain Time Zone). That corresponds to 05:30 on the West Coast, 08:30 Eastern, 13:30 in the UK and 14:30 Central European. The pro women set off five minutes later.

This event is the latest stop in the Pro Series and you can watch it live on IRONMAN’s YouTube channel here.

There will be additional regional live broadcast and highlight shows also available, including L’Équipe Live in France, ESPN (within Disney+), SuperSport, hr-Fernsehen, NRD, RTVE, iQIYI, and Outside TV.

And of course the ever-useful IRONMAN Tracker app is an essential addition to the broadcast.

Course details

The 1.2-mile swim takes place in the pristine waters of Lucky Peak Reservoir, starting and finishing in the Barclay Bay area.

The 56-mile bike ride is described as “hilly” but it’s nothing too extreme and it starts with a sweeping downhill from the Lucky Peak Reservoir. After that it’s a rolling, scenic tour of rural Boise roads and neighborhood streets, clocking up 1,900 feet of climbing.

Onto the 13.1-mile run and that’s a flat two-loop course with plenty of shade as athletes wind along the Boise River to complete their 70.3 mile race in downtown Boise.

Weather wise it’s going to be hot – and air quality is questionable – but the good news is this probably isn’t going to be a North American carve up…

Pro Men

Defending IRONMAN 70.3 Boise champion Sam Appleton (AUS) was in the #1 bib for this year but has now dropped off the start list.

That leaves fan favorite Sam Long (USA) in #2 at the top of the men’s field. The ‘Big Unit’ won 70.3 Gulf Coast earlier in the season and last time out was runner up at 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley.

But arguably the favourite is French Olympian Vincent Luis (FRA) who has demonstrated his potential over longer distances this season, including a fifth-place finish at IRONMAN Frankfurt and fourth at IRONMAN Texas North American Championship – he’ll be a threat to all back at middle distance.

Ari Klau (USA) enters Boise riding a wave of momentum following one of the strongest stretches of his professional career. The American recently claimed a breakthrough victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant.

Another American athlete tracking well in the Pro Series is veteran Matt Hanson. Hanson has continued his trademark consistency throughout 2026 and currently sits fifth overall in the standings with 10,814 points, keeping him firmly in the championship conversation heading into the second half of the season.

It will be a surprise if Trevor Foley (USA), who claimed victories at both IRONMAN New Zealand and IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley earlier this season, toes the start line given his Lake Placid exertions on Sunday but he remains on the official list.

Additional challengers include Canadian duo Jackson Laundry and Brock Hoel as well as former professional cyclist Cameron Wurf (AUS).

Pro Women

Defending women’s champion Paula Findlay was also on the initial start list but it will come as no surprise that she swerves this after winning on her full-distance debut at IRONMAN Lake Placid on Sunday.

The field is now led by New Zealand’s Hannah Berry, wearing bib number one, who currently sits fifth in the IRONMAN Pro Series standings with 9,734 points – another 2,500 are up for grabs here.

The American contingent is headlined by Grace Alexander, who has enjoyed a breakthrough 2026 campaign that included back-to-back victories at IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast and IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga. Joining her is Lydia Russell (USA), already a two-time IRONMAN 70.3 runner-up this year, and Olympian Kirsten Kasper (USA), entering only her third IRONMAN 70.3 race as one of the strongest swimmers in the professional ranks.

Lisa Perterer (AUT), remains on the start list but did race Lake Placid, while Rebecca Clarke (NZL), Hanne De Vet (BEL), Lisa Becharas (USA) and Kate Curran (GBR) add further strength to an exceptionally competitive women’s race.

What’s on the line?

The prize purse for this race is $50,000, with $25,000 split equally between the women’s and the men’s races. The top eight from each field receive prize money.

1st: $7,500
2nd: $5,000
3rd: $3,750
4th: $3,000
5th: $2,000
6th: $1,500
7th: $1,250
8th: $1,000

There are also two qualifying slots per gender up for grabs for next year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee.