Middle Distance Roundup: Stars set for Peru, Cebu and Valencia in action packed weekend

Whilst IRONMAN South Africa will be the focal point of M-Dot racing this weekend, there is plenty more action to follow across the world over the middle distance on April 21.

With a total of ten IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship spots up for grabs at IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu, IRONMAN 70.3 Peru and IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia, some big names will be stepping up in distance to secure a spot for Taupo.

Incredibly, Valencia boasts one of the biggest middle distance start list ever, with over 125 pro athletes registered, whilst Cebu and Peru feature some world class competition. In our weekend roundup below, you can find everything you need to know.

Start times and how to follow live

Unfortunately, the races in Peru, Cebu and Valencia will not be streamed this weekend, but fans can follow their favourite athletes by using the IRONMAN Tracker throughout the day.

Each race this weekend takes place on Sunday April 21. In Valencia, the pro men will begin at 07:30 local time, with the women starting at 07:32. Valencia is +1 hour ahead of the UK, +6 hours ahead of the East Coast and +9 hours ahead of the West Coast.

In Cebu, the day will again begin with the pro men, who will set off at 06:20 local time with the women following shortly after at 06:22. Cebu is +7 hours ahead of the UK, +11 hours ahead of the East Coast and +15 hours ahead of the West Coast.

Finally, in Peru, the pro men will begin at 06:15 local time, with the pro women starting at 06:20. Lima is +2 hours ahead of the West Coast, -1 hour behind the East Coast and -6 hours behind the UK.

IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia

Leading the way in Spain on the men’s side is IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship podium finisher Jan Stratmann of Germany, with World Triathlon Long Distance Championship runner-up Antonio Benito Lopez the other major long course specialist in the field.

From the short course scene, former WTCS Champion Leo Bergere, who won IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside last year, will want to secure his Taupo slot before focusing on Paris qualification next month.

Hungarian Bence Lehmann, a WTCS podium finisher, is another short course specialist looking to get on the podium. Tom Richard and Roberto Sanchez Mantecon are two more Olympic stream athletes with podium potential.

On the women’s side, Laura Philipp is the heavy favourite, as she seeks to validate her Nice spot with two middle distance performances having finished on the podium at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2023.

Home favourite Sara Perez Sala will be her main rival, with German Caroline Pohle another contender, alongside her compatriots Daniela Kleiser and Lena Meibner.

IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu

In Cebu, there are a number of contenders racing back-to-back weekends after competing at the Singapore T100, with Danish star Daniel Baekkegard the leading figure on the men’s start list.

South African Olympic medalist Henri Schoeman also makes the trip to the Philippines, with Tom Bishop and Sam Osborne going head-to-head once again after a thrilling battle at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong.

Leading the women’s field is British talent Lucy Byram, who is joined by German Anne Reischmann and Dutch star Els Visser. In Singapore, Visser finished third, with Reischmann and Byram sixth and seventh respectively.

Further down the start list, UAE pro Lottie Lucas will be a podium contender, especially if the front three falter. Swiss Nina Derron, plus Hungarian Zsanett Bragmayer, are two more European pros capable of shaking things up.

IRONMAN 70.3 Peru

In Peru, both fields are dominated by strong South American pros, with Argentine Luciano Taccone and Brazilian Pamella Oliveira leading the start lists.

On the men’s side, Brazilian trio Fernando Toledo, Reinaldo Colucci and Igor Amorelli are all capable of taking the win, with American Benjamin Deal also capable of featuring.

In the women’s race, Oliveira looks to be largely unchallenged when it comes to the race for the win, with fellow Brazilian Bruna Stolf and Mexican Arlette Gonzalez the next best ranked athletes.