Sam Long claimed a thrilling victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman after an epic run battle with Trevor Foley in Maryland on Sunday.
There was no Lionel Sanders in the field, but we still got a fantastic spectacle as ‘The Big Unit’ came through in the closing half-marathon to take top spot on the podium.
Foley claimed an excellent second while British surprise package Matthew Collins produced a terrific display to complete the podium.
Swim – Harper blasts off
American star Greg Harper led the field out of the water after the opening swim, claiming a 19-second advantage over compatriot Ben Kanute. Eventual third Collins was 2:12 away in fifth while Swede Robert Kallin came next in sixth.
Canadian Jackson Laundry was 12th with a gap of 3:44 to the lead while Aussie Cam Wurf was close behind him in 14th.
Long meanwhile is used to coming off the pace with the swim being his pronounced weakness, and he was 21st with 4:32 to make up on the bike and run. Foley meanwhile was just ahead of him – 4:14 off the pace in 18th.
Bike – Kallin takes control
It was giant Swede Kallin who took control on the bike leg, storming to the front and building a gap of 2:12 heading into T2. But the signs were he would be looking over his shoulder on the closing half-marathon.
While Kallin produced the best bike split of the day – a blistering 1:54:37, Long was also storming through the field with a 1:55:14 and he was up to second place by the time he entered transition.
Laundry was just behind Long as they headed a chase group of seven athletes which was completed by Anthony Costes (FRA), Kanute, Foley, Luke Jones (USA) and British ace Collins.
It was all to play for on the run but Long was looking like the favourite with his vaunted foot speed about to come into play.
Run – ‘Big Unit’ holds off Foley
Long chopped more than 30 seconds off that Kallin lead before he even stepped onto the run course thanks to a swift transition. He was joined by Foley and Kanute as they set off in pursuit of the Scandinavian.
Pretty soon it was just Long and Foley in pursuit, and they caught Kallin by the time the leaders passed through the 4-mile mark, and then quickly took over at the front.
Kallin did his best to hang with the Americans at the front, but they gradually dropped him and he was soon looking under threat from Britain’s Collins for the final spot on the podium.
Up front the question now was who would take the tape, and it was Long who made the decisive move with around 5 miles remaining of the half-marathon.
‘The Big Unit’ was never under threat after that point and came home in front with a closing run split of 1:10:49 – the best of the day. Foley was 26 seconds adrift in second with Collins completing the podium, 1:16 away.
IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman Results
Sunday June 8, 2025 – Pro Men
- 1. Sam Long (USA) – 3:36:50 (27:49 / 1:55:14 / 1:10:49)
- 2. Trevor Foley (USA) – 3:37:17 (27:30 / 1:55:27 / 1:10:58)
- 3. Matthew Collins (GBR) – 3:38:07 (25:28 / 1:57:42 / 1:11:23)
- 4. Robert Kallin (SWE) – 3:38:42 (25:31 / 1:54:37 / 1:14:14)
- 5. Jackson Laundry (CAN) – 3:40:44 (27:00 / 1:55:52 / 1:14:24)
