Magnus Ditlev, Sam Long, Holly Lawrence and Alanis Siffert headline the pro entries for IRONMAN Florida this Saturday (November 7), with World Championship qualification and a share of $100,000 on the line.

A deep men’s field also includes Cam Wurf, Matt Hanson, Ben Kanute and Rudy von Berg, while Lawrence and Siffert are among the leading women on the latest start list.

One notable absentee is Chelsea Sodaro. The 2022 IRONMAN World Champion featured on the initial provisional list but is no longer included in the updated field, which contains 15 women and 60 men.

Here’s our guide to the race in Panama City Beach, from how to follow the action to the contenders and what’s at stake.

Start time and how to follow

IRONMAN Florida takes place on Saturday November 7, with the professional swim start scheduled for 5:40am local time at Russell-Fields Pier.

That translates to 10:40am in the UK and 11:40pm CET.

There is no live television coverage, so the IRONMAN Tracker app is the best way to follow athlete progress, splits and positions throughout the day.

IRONMAN Florida course

Florida has a reputation for fast racing, with a predominantly flat bike course followed by one of the flattest marathons on the IRONMAN circuit. But conditions in the Gulf and wind on the bike can still have a significant influence.

The 3.8km swim consists of two clockwise laps around Russell-Fields Pier, with a short beach run between them. Typical water temperatures are in the low 20s Celsius, with race-day conditions determining wetsuit eligibility. Currents can make this a more demanding opening discipline than the clear water might suggest.

The 180km bike is a single lap taking athletes inland through the intercoastal waterways and into Pine Log State Forest. There are some rolling sections, but much of the course lends itself to sustained riding in the aerobars. Wind on the return towards transition could add to the challenge.

The 42.2km run follows a two-lap coastal course, with spectator support along the route and a finish at Pier Park. The limited climbing offers the potential for quick marathon times.

Men’s race: Ditlev and Long lead a deep field

Magnus Ditlev returns to action after leading until late in the Kona marathon, while Sam Long follows his sixth place in Hawaii. Both remain on the updated Florida list.

Ditlev said this week ahead of the race on his Instagram account: “One last race of the season is coming up this Saturday at Ironman Florida and I’m really excited to line up against a strong field.
“The road to Kona next year is already on, and I’m hoping to get an early qualification so I can focus even more on next year’s World Championships!
“I did Ironman Florida back in 2023, so I’m familiar with the course and hoping for some good and fast conditions this weekend.”

Long too previously identified early qualification as a way to keep his 2027 options open, although he was weighing Florida against Cozumel.

The opposition gives both plenty to think about. Cam Wurf, Matt Hanson, Ben Kanute and Rudy von Berg make for a strong group at the top of the entries, with the prospect of contrasting approaches to a course which rewards sustained speed.

Wurf’s presence adds particular interest to the bike leg, while Ditlev and Long will also be names to watch when the field heads inland.

Women’s race: Lawrence and Siffert headline

Holly Lawrence and Alanis Siffert lead the women’s entries following Sodaro’s absence from the updated list.

Lawrence’s preparation has followed a mid-season stress reaction. She was sixth on her Kona debut in 2025 and has spoken about wanting to race after working hard through her recovery.

“Sure I’d like a few more weeks to feel more ready but eager to see what I can do,” she wrote on Instagram.

Siffert brings a strong season into Florida, having won Challenge Roth and taken bronze at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Her planned Challenge Shanghai appearance was cancelled following a typhoon warning.

They face a field including Laura Jansen, Annamarie Strehlow, Linda Brännlund, Angela Naeth and Joanna Ryter.

There is also a sizeable British presence. Alongside Lawrence, Lydia Dant, Dee Allen, Brooke Gillies and Megan McDonald are entered, making up a third of the 15-athlete field.

Meghan Grant, Sarah Karpinski, Kristina Grieger and Nicole Valentine complete the latest list.

What’s at stake?

Florida offers three professional qualification slots per gender for the 2027 IRONMAN World Championship. Wurf has already secured his place through IRONMAN Maryland.

For athletes still chasing qualification, securing a slot now would remove a major objective from next season’s racing schedule.

There is also a $100,000 prize purse, split equally between the men and women. Each winner receives $15,000, with payment extending to 10th place as shown in the table below.

Position	Men	Women
1	$15,000	$15,000
2	$9,000	$9,000
3	$7,000	$7,000
4	$5,000	$5,000
5	$4,000	$4,000
6	$3,000	$3,000
7	$2,500	$2,500
8	$2,000	$2,000
9	$1,500	$1,500
10	$1,000	$1,000