All times are local to Kona, most recent news at the top
Men’s race reports: SWIM | BIKE & Lange exit | Luis takes title & Laidlow KO
Women’s race reports: SWIM | BIKE | Knibb’s incredible win & Løvseth collapse
15:59 🙏 Thank you for joining us
What an extraordinary day in Kona. Thank you to everyone who has followed along with us – please use the links above for all our race reports and reaction.
There’s only one place to finish: this video of Solveig Løvseth crossing the line. After those desperately worrying scenes, a moment that meant far more than eighth place.
15:42 🏁 Women’s top 10 confirmed
After that extraordinary finish, here’s the top 10 from the race tracker:
- Taylor Knibb (USA) — 8:36:29
- Laura Philipp (GER) — 8:39:34
- Julie Derron (SUI) — 8:46:25
- Kat Matthews (GBR) — 8:49:38
- Imogen Simmonds (SUI) — 8:51:44
- Lisa Perterer (AUT) — 8:52:54
- Hannah Berry (NZL) — 8:59:41
- Solveig Løvseth (NOR) — 9:02:09
- Anne-Sophie Pierre (FRA) — 9:03:49
- Grace Thek (AUS) — 9:06:37
A superb recovery from Matthews to take fourth, while Løvseth’s eighth tells only a fraction of her story today.
15:33 🙌 Løvseth makes it to the finish
Solveig Løvseth has somehow made it across the finish line in eighth, earning an incredible reception after those distressing scenes.
She remarkably got back on her feet and found a way to finish. Her placing felt secondary as the crowd acclaimed an effort that embodied a champion’s mentality and the spirit of Kona.
Click here for our full report.
15:17 💔 Derron third, concern for Løvseth
Julie Derron crosses the line in third, 9:57 behind Taylor Knibb, securing a podium on her Kona debut despite that three-minute drafting penalty.
But Solveig Løvseth is back on the ground after trying to continue. Worrying scenes – hopefully the medical team can help her now.
15:12 🙏 Løvseth briefly back on her feet
Laura Philipp finishes second, 3:06 behind Taylor Knibb.
Thankfully, Solveig Løvseth is back on her feet and may yet be able to walk to the finish. After those distressing scenes, that’s hugely encouraging to see.
Meanwhile, Julie Derron has found another gear and looks set for third on her Kona debut.
15:07 🏆 Taylor Knibb wins Kona
Taylor Knibb is the IRONMAN World Champion! Even she looks stunned after an almost unimaginable finish to this race.
There’s a sense of shock for everyone after Solveig Løvseth’s race unravelled within the final mile.
The overriding concern now is making sure Solveig is okay.
15:06 💔 Both titles slip away
Solveig Løvseth is struggling so badly that even reaching the finish now looks in doubt. Moments ago she was heading for a remarkable double.
With Laura Philipp now ahead of her, the IRONMAN Pro Series crown has slipped away too. A devastating turn of events within sight of the finish.
15:05 😱 Philipp passes Løvseth too
Laura Philipp moves into second as Solveig Løvseth struggles desperately to keep moving. Less than a mile from victory, her race has unravelled with shocking speed.
And what a reversal from last year: Taylor Knibb, whose own collapse opened the door for Løvseth in 2025, is now heading towards the title herself.
15:03 😱 An unbelievable late twist
Taylor Knibb moves into the lead inside the final mile as Solveig Løvseth suddenly hits the wall.
The defending champion can no longer run and is even struggling to walk. This is desperately hard to watch – she was so close to retaining her title.
Knibb has battled through her own struggles and is now on course for an extraordinary victory.
14:59 😱 Late drama!
This is awful to watch as Solveig Løvseth is on the ground. This is potentially heartbreaking!
14:50 💰 Løvseth eyes the double
The world title comes first, but Solveig Løvseth is also on course to win the IRONMAN Pro Series — and its $200,000 first prize.
She’s currently just over a minute ahead of Taylor Knibb, with Series rival Laura Philipp at +5:37.
A successful title defence and the season-long crown would make this a remarkable double and a $325,000 payday in total.
14:45 🎥 The moment Løvseth took control
This was the moment Solveig Løvseth passed Taylor Knibb to take the lead.
The gap between them now is now 42 seconds with 5km remaining.
14:40 🏃 Philipp reaches the podium places
It’s been a crazy hour at the IRONMAN World Championship, even by Kona standards — and Laura Philipp is now third.
She reached the bike finish tenth, 9:52 behind Taylor Knibb. What a turnaround from the German as this dramatic marathon continues.
14:35 💔 Lucy’s race is over
Confirmation that Lucy Charles-Barclay has withdrawn, after stopping at the 28km mark.
A real shame after her commanding swim and absorbing bike battle with Taylor Knibb. For the second year running, her Kona challenge ends deep into the marathon.
Amazing it’s the same three protagonists as last year – and almost certainly the same outcome.
14:33 🇳🇴 Løvseth takes the lead!
At the exact spot where Vincent Luis passed Magnus Ditlev, Solveig Løvseth moves past Taylor Knibb.
Taylor responds immediately and tries to match her, but the elastic now appears to have snapped.
With 8km still to go, the defending champion is taking control — another extraordinary Kona turnaround.
14:25 🙌 Vincent on top of the world!
Here’s the emotional finish of your new men’s IRONMAN World Champion.
14:22 🏁 Men’s top ten confirmed
Vincent Luis wins in 7:47:27, with Gustav Iden second and Matthew Marquardt third after an extraordinary race.
- 1. Vincent Luis 7:47:27
- 2. Gustav Iden 7:49:03
- 3. Matthew Marquardt 7:49:59
- 4. Gregory Barnaby 7:51:02
- 5. Pierre Le Corre 7:53:29
- 6. Sam Long 7:55:21
- 7. Jonas Schomburg 7:56:42
- 8. Kristian Blummenfelt 7:58:07
- 9. Youri Keulen 7:58:26
- 10. Menno Koolhaas 7:58:55
Iden clocked 2:36:58 for the marathon, compared with Luis’ 2:38:36 — a superb chase, but the Frenchman held firm when it mattered.
14:19 👏 Long delivers in sixth
Rounding out the men’s leading finishers: Gregory Barnaby fourth, Pierre Le Corre fifth and Sam Long a superb sixth after being written off by many before the race.
Long was 42nd out of the water — what a recovery.
Jonas Schomburg finishes seventh, with Kristian Blummenfelt eighth.
14:16 😟 Knibb struggles, Løvseth closes
History could be about to repeat itself in the women’s race.
Taylor Knibb is struggling and appears to be vomiting, while Solveig Løvseth is closing menacingly on the leader.
With Lucy Charles-Barclay also stopped behind them, another dramatic late twist is unfolding.
14:15 😟 Lucy comes to a standstill
Back to the women’s race, where Lucy Charles-Barclay has stopped at the 28km mark while in third.
That’s almost exactly where her race ended last year. A sad worrying sight – we’ll keep you updated on whether she can get moving again.
14:13 💰 Series consolation for Iden
Some substantial consolation for Gustav Iden: by our calculations, he has won the IRONMAN Pro Series and its $200,000 first prize.
We’ll await official confirmation, but that would be quite a reward alongside his Kona silver medal.
14:12 🥈🥉 Iden and Marquardt complete podium
Gustav Iden finishes second at +1:35, with Matthew Marquardt third at +2:31.
Spare a thought for both after their three-minute penalties — outstanding recoveries that will inevitably leave some what-ifs.
But nothing takes away from Vincent Luis’ superbly judged victory. He delivered when it mattered.
14:10 🥹 Tears of joy
The tears are flowing for Vincent Luis and his partner Georgia Taylor-Brown, who is there to greet the new world champion.
After a day of extraordinary twists, a beautifully emotional moment together at the Kona finish line. 🇫🇷❤️🇬🇧
14:09 🏆 Vincent Luis wins Kona!
Absolutely unbelievable scenes as Vincent Luis wins the IRONMAN World Championship on his Kona debut!
A beautifully judged race, a wonderful moment — and a fairytale victory in what was supposed to be his final professional appearance.
He told us winning might make him reconsider retirement. What a decision he has ahead of him now! 🇫🇷
14:02 🇫🇷 Luis heads for glory
Just a mile to go, and Vincent Luis still looks incredible as he heads downhill towards the finish.
His lead is now over a minute. Surely this is his title – a monumental victory on his Kona debut, in what he intended to be his final professional race.
What a way to finish.
13:57 ⏱️ Luis holding off Iden
For the first time in a while, Vincent Luis’ lead over Gustav Iden has grown — marginally, from 39 to 42 seconds, with 3km remaining.
Every second matters now. Can Luis hold on for a fairytale finish, or does Iden have one final surge?
13:53 🇺🇸 Marquardt back on the podium
Matthew Marquardt is back up to third, just 2:19 behind Vincent Luis.
Like Gustav Iden, he’s served a three-minute penalty — and he’s still right in this race. A remarkable recovery from the American, with the podium places far from settled.
Meanwhile Magnus Ditlev is still somehow in the race, albeit down to ninth.
13:48 🇳🇴 Iden’s preferred script
Gustav Iden told Laura Siddall for TRI247 earlier this week exactly how he’d like to win:
“Just chase the whole day and then snatch the victory towards the very end.”
He said taking the lead in the final 2km would be enough. His penalty has made the task harder, but his late charge is keeping that script very much alive!
The gap is now 39 seconds with just 5km / three miles remaining.
13:43 🏃 Knibb holds the advantage
Past halfway in the women’s marathon, Taylor Knibb’s lead is holding relatively firm, with Solveig Løvseth at +3:12.
Lucy Charles-Barclay is around four-and-a-half minutes back, while Laura Philipp has climbed to fourth at +8:49.
A change of fortunes for Julie Derron, who is struggling and has slipped to seventh. She was reportedly walking for a spell.
13:38 🇫🇷 Luis takes the lead!
You have to admire Magnus Ditlev’s grit, but Vincent Luis moves past him at the latest aid station and into first place.
A Kona debut victory in his planned final professional race would be an absolute fairytale.
But Gustav Iden is closing too. This story still has another chapter to come with 8km remaining.
13:34 😟 Ditlev walks – race wide open
This is painful to watch: Magnus Ditlev is walking and in real trouble.
Vincent Luis could soon take the lead, but do not write off Gustav Iden — still charging in third.
Kona is delivering another extraordinary late twist.
13:32 🔥 Luis closes to 1:49
The momentum keeps swinging towards Vincent Luis. At 20 miles, he’s now just 1:49 behind Magnus Ditlev — a huge final 10km awaits!
Gustav Iden remains the fastest runner on course in third, making his three-minute drafting penalty look increasingly costly.
Three men, one title, and plenty still to resolve.
13:26 ⏱️ Ditlev’s lead shrinks
An up-and-down spell for Magnus Ditlev: he slows again at an aid station for ice, then gets going and is now running smoothly.
His lead over Vincent Luis is under three minutes.
Behind them, Gustav Iden has climbed to third, while Kristian Blummenfelt is losing ground. This race is still wide open.
13:20 😟 Ditlev suddenly struggles
A sudden transformation for Magnus Ditlev: after looking so strong, he’s now struggling badly and almost slows to a walk.
He gets going again, but Vincent Luis is cutting into the gap. The men’s race has taken another dramatic turn – is the fairytale on for Vince in what is not only his Kona debut but potentially a first and last as he is set to retire at the end of the season. He is looking FANTASTIC.
13:17 🏃 Løvseth takes second
Solveig Løvseth makes what looks like a decisive pass on Lucy Charles-Barclay just before the 10-mile point.
The defending champion is now second, but still 3:46 behind Taylor Knibb.
And Julie Derron is up to fourth at +7:14, continuing her recovery after the drafting penalty. The runners are making their moves.
13:13 🇳🇴 Iden keeps climbing
Gustav Iden is up to fifth after passing Matthew Marquardt, and remains the fastest runner on the course.
The 2022 champion’s chase continues despite his three-minute drafting penalty. How much further can he climb?
13:06 👀 Ditlev sees his advantage
With around 15km remaining, Magnus Ditlev has just seen Vincent Luis and Kristian Blummenfelt on the other side of the road – a clear picture of his sizeable lead.
Luis has also started to gap Blummenfelt in the chase for second. Encouraging signs for Ditlev as the kilometres tick down.
13:00 👀 Løvseth closes on Lucy
Lucy Charles-Barclay has just passed Jan Frodeno and Laura Siddall, looking more laboured than Knibb did moments earlier.
Behind her, Solveig Løvseth appears to be closing. The defending champion could soon put second place under pressure.
12:59 💬 Frodeno on Lange’s exit
Jan Frodeno has spoken to his friend and countryman Patrick Lange following his withdrawal.
According to Jan, Lange said that however much water he took on board, he was still cramping.
More insight into the difficulties that ended the three-time champion’s final Kona appearance.
12:57 😊 Knibb looks strong
The gap is holding firm in the women’s race too: Taylor Knibb leads Lucy Charles-Barclay by 2:40 after 6.5 miles, around a quarter of the way through the marathon.
Solveig Løvseth is third at +3:43.
Knibb has just passed Jan Frodeno and Laura Siddall on the live broadcast. Jan says she looks fantastic – with a big smile on her face.
12:54 🏃 Luis and Blummenfelt move up
Vincent Luis and Kristian Blummenfelt are running together and have both passed Matthew Marquardt, moving into second and third.
But they aren’t making inroads into Magnus Ditlev’s 4:33 lead. The Dane is investing time at the aid stations to take on ice and fluids – and still holding the advantage.
12:41 🔮 Four women, seconds apart?
A fascinating projection from the live IRONMAN broadcast: at current speeds, Lucy Charles-Barclay would win by just six seconds from Solveig Løvseth.
Taylor Knibb would finish less than 30 seconds behind Lucy, with Julie Derron less than ten seconds behind Taylor!
Plenty can change over this marathon, but that gives a sense of just how finely balanced the race could be.
12:38 🏃 Ditlev holds firm
Magnus Ditlev is looking very good up front, leading Matthew Marquardt by 4:10 after 11 miles, with Gregory Barnaby at +4:33.
But the fastest man on the course right now is Gustav Iden, chasing after his drafting penalty at +6:53.
He wanted to hunt down the leaders late. Can he bring himself back into this?
12:19 🏃 The chase takes shape
Behind Knibb, Charles-Barclay and Løvseth, here’s how fourth to tenth reached the bike finish, with gaps to Taylor Knibb:
- 4. Imogen Simmonds +5:00
- 5. Hannah Berry +5:09
- 6. Lisa Perterer +5:23
- 7. Paula Findlay +5:24
- 8. Julie Derron +9:11
- 9. Regan Hollioake +9:40
- 10. Laura Philipp +9:52
Derron has a substantial deficit after her penalty, but now gets to play her strongest card. Can her running bring her back into contention?
12:11 👀 Deja vu as Løvseth enters the picture?
Lucy Charles-Barclay reaches T2 second, 3:06 behind Taylor Knibb – and look who’s third: defending champion Solveig Løvseth at +4:48.
History suggests this race is finely balanced. Those gaps leave plenty to play for over the marathon.
Conditions appear relatively favourable too: cloud cover, light winds and temperatures that aren’t too hot. We could be in for a treat here.
12:07 🏃 Knibb reaches T2 first
Taylor Knibb is first into T2 after a 4:40:07 bike split — well outside the 4:29 record pace and around nine minutes slower than her own ride last year, in completely different conditions.
Lucy Charles-Barclay hasn’t arrived yet, but looks likely to be around three minutes behind.
Now comes the marathon — and the next chapter of their absorbing battle.
11:58 💔 Laidlow out – and explains why
Sam Laidlow has withdrawn, telling on-course reporter Sam Appleton that he struggled with restricted blood flow to his left leg almost throughout the bike.
“I’ve just been battling trying to not give up for the whole ride,” he said. Standing out of the saddle helped, but once he started running, “my whole leg was numb”.
Laidlow says it’s a problem he’s known about for a while, which he described as iliac artery fibrosis, and expects to return to France for surgery.
“I’m surprised that I came off the bike second… but it means nothing if you can’t run.”
A sad end but huge credit to him for doing the interview.
11:45 🏃 Barnaby glides into second
Gregory Barnaby is moving superbly, gliding past Matthew Marquardt to take second early in the marathon.
Up front, Magnus Ditlev briefly stops at an aid station to fill his cap with ice — cooling remains crucial.
Meanwhile, Sam Laidlow is tumbling down the leaderboard after his difficult start to the run.
11:42 🚴 Knibb puts the hammer down
Back to the women after the men’s passage through T2 – and Taylor Knibb has made a big move.
With 20km left on the bike, she’s 2:32 ahead of Lucy Charles-Barclay, while Imogen Simmonds is third at +4:04.
After all those lead changes, Taylor is opening a meaningful gap before the marathon.
11:36 😟 Laidlow walks early
Sam Laidlow is already walking at the first aid station, with Matthew Marquardt passing him to move into second.
Laidlow is running again, but that’s a deeply worrying sign so early in the marathon. Hard to watch after he finished the bike looking firmly in contention.
11:34 🇳🇴 Stornes backs the calm approach
Good news from Casper Stornes: the defending champion says surgery has gone well after the bike crash that ruled him out.
Watching his Norwegian podium companions from Nice, he told the broadcast: “It looks like they are calm today, they are not stressing if the gaps go out, they are playing it smart.”
But Iden’s penalty changes things: “I think it is going to be hard for him now — but you never know.”
11:29 🏃 Ditlev leads into T2
Magnus Ditlev reaches the bike finish first, but what a recovery from Matthew Marquardt, who looked brilliant in the closing stages after serving his penalty.
The order at the bike finish:
- 1. Magnus Ditlev
- 2. Sam Laidlow +1:27
- 3. Matthew Marquardt +2:23
- 4. Gregory Barnaby +3:34
- 5. Kristian Blummenfelt +6:02
- 6. Vincent Luis +6:04
- 7. Marten Van Riel +6:30
Nick Thompson is eighth and having served his penalty, Iden is now ninth at +9:19. Sam Long (+9:25) and Cam Wurf (+9:33) are having fine races in 10th and 11th.
Now comes the marathon. Ditlev has the advantage — who has the legs to chase him down?
11:20 💔 Foley is out
More big news as the men approach the end of the bike: Trevor Foley is out of the race.
A disappointing end for one of the American contenders we’d been watching closely. We’ll bring you the reason when it’s confirmed.
Meanwhile his compatriot Matthew Marquardt continues to go well.
11:15 🚴 Marquardt rallies
As the bike finish approaches, Magnus Ditlev and Sam Laidlow are going well in first and second, while Matthew Marquardt is back up to third at +2:42 after his penalty.
Further back, two huge movers: Sam Long has climbed from 42nd out of the water to 12th, and Cameron Wurf from 41st to 13th.
Strong recoveries — now comes the question of what they’ve saved for the marathon.
11:11 🚴 Knibb stretches her lead
At 86 miles / 138km, Taylor Knibb has opened a 57-second lead over Lucy Charles-Barclay, with Imogen Simmonds going well in third.
The latest top 15, now reflecting the penalty stops:
- 1. Taylor Knibb
- 2. Lucy Charles-Barclay +0:57
- 3. Imogen Simmonds +2:18
- 4. Hannah Berry +3:39
- 5. Paula Findlay +4:11
- 6. Lisa Perterer +4:17
- 7. Solveig Løvseth +6:11
- 8. Julie Derron +7:36
- 9. Regan Hollioake +7:59
- 10. Laura Philipp +9:54
- 11. Lotte Wilms +9:54
- 12. Kat Matthews +10:17
- 13. Marta Sanchez +10:35
- 14. Rachel Zilinskas +10:40
- 15. Marjolaine Pierré +12:09
Some formidable runners have substantial ground to recover — but there’s still a marathon to come.
11:02 ⏱️ Derron’s deficit doubles
Julie Derron has served her penalty, and the women’s race takes a significant turn: her gap grows from 3:56 to 7:36.
Regan Hollioake faces a similar setback, going from 4:19 to 7:59 after her stop.
Both have lost 3:40 relative to the lead across the penalty sequence — a costly interruption with the marathon still ahead.
10:57 🤔 A striking contrast
The flurry of penalties here is a striking contrast to the early stages of the recent T100 French Riviera, where numerous RaceRanger lights flashed red but no penalties were issued.
Jelle Geens summed up his frustration afterwards: “If you followed the rules, all of a sudden you were just all the way at the back.”
Today, three-minute stops are reshaping both races. Read Geens’ reaction here.
10:54 🟦 Huge setback for Iden
Gustav Iden has received a three-minute drafting penalty — a massive blow to the 2022 champion’s hopes.
He was eighth, 4:30 behind, riding in a three-man group with Kristian Blummenfelt and Marten Van Riel.
That’s more time he’ll have to recover before his hoped-for late charge on the run.
10:45 👀 Debutants quietly impress
Two Kona debutants are going brilliantly, slightly under the radar while penalties reshape both races.
Paula Findlay has taken 45 seconds out of Taylor Knibb on the latest splits and is up to fourth, 2:54 behind.
Vincent Luis also sits fourth in the men’s race, at +3:11. Both are nicely positioned with the marathon still to come.
10:40 🟦 Hollioake penalised
Regan Hollioake is the latest athlete shown a blue card, receiving a three-minute drafting penalty.
She’s currently eighth at +3:46, so that’s another significant setback in the women’s chase group. The penalties are coming thick and fast.
10:38 🧠 Ditlev keeps his cool
An interesting moment as the race moto pulls alongside Magnus Ditlev. He stops and hands over a bottle that had come loose — composed handling of a potential littering issue.
It does leave the leader with less hydration or nutrition on board for now. Another small detail to manage in a demanding day.
10:26 🟦 Decisive moment?
Here’s a replay of Marquardt being handed his penalty – the card looks yellow but they are two-sided so he saw blue (three minutes).
10:24 ⚠️ Marquardt drops to eighth
Matthew Marquardt went into the penalty tent in first place and has emerged eighth. A costly interruption to his impressive ride.
At 86 miles / 138km, Magnus Ditlev leads, with the gaps behind him:
- 2. Gregory Barnaby +0:40
- 3. Sam Laidlow +1:01
- 4. Vincent Luis +1:55
- 5. Kristian Blummenfelt +2:42
- 6. Gustav Iden +2:48
- 7. Marten Van Riel +2:50
- 8. Matthew Marquardt +3:11
Ditlev, in a prototype helmet visor which is almost down to his bars, has some daylight at the front, but there’s serious running firepower behind him.
10:18 ⚠️ Penalty drama in both races
As Matthew Marquardt serves his three-minute penalty in the tent, huge news from the women’s race: Julie Derron has received a drafting penalty.
A major setback for the Kona debutant, whose position and running strength had made her such a threat to the leading pair.
10:15 🔥 Let this battle last
Lucy Charles-Barclay is riding just over 20 metres behind Taylor Knibb in second. Neither is giving much away in a fantastic contest.
We saw how dramatically things unravelled on the run last year. Fingers crossed this time their battle goes all the way to the finish line!
“The minute you start racing your competitors, you collapse,” says Knibb on a quick pre-race video just played on the live broadcast!
10:09 🔥 Five lead changes?!
At halfway, Taylor Knibb led Lucy Charles-Barclay by 54 seconds. Little more than ten miles later, there’s nothing between them!
Lucy briefly moves back into the lead before Taylor reclaims first place — we make that five lead changes already.
Neither woman is letting this one go. What a battle.
10:06 ⚠️ Penalty blow for Marquardt
Matthew Marquardt has been shown a card while riding in the leading trio with Magnus Ditlev and Gregory Barnaby, presumably for drafting which will mean three minutes in the tent.
As the officials speak to Marquardt, Ditlev moves past him and into the lead. A potentially costly moment for the American after such a strong ride.
09:56 🔮 Projections favour Derron
An intriguing stat from the live broadcast: their projections currently have Julie Derron as the most likely women’s winner.
It’s a prediction, not a result — but it underlines how dangerous her running could be if she keeps the leaders within reach. A fascinating position for the Kona debutant.
09:53 🚴 Laidlow looks stronger
Sam Laidlow has yo-yoed a little over the past half-hour, but he now looks back in control and going well.
We don’t yet know why he initially dropped back. What’s clear is that he’s firmly in the mix again — and the latest rider to move past Jonas Schomburg.
09:51 🚴 Ditlev leads, Lange out
Magnus Ditlev has moved into the lead — the Dane’s progress through the field now takes him right to the front.
Meanwhile, confirmation that Patrick Lange’s race is over. He resumed riding after his earlier stop, but the three-time champion’s final Kona appearance has now ended.
09:48 ⛰️ Hawi climb splits the chase
The women’s chase pack has exploded on the climb towards Hawi as they reach halfway on the bike — 90km / 56 miles.
Kat Matthews has been hardest hit, dropping back to 6:31 behind the lead.
A significant setback for one of the strongest runners in the field and she’s just been overtaken by Solveig Løvseth, who beat her by 35 seconds 12 months ago.
The climb is reshaping this race.
09:43 🌬️ Men’s favourites come together
It’s now seriously windy around Hawi, and as we start to head back Kristian Blummenfelt, Gustav Iden and Sam Laidlow are briefly riding together.
Of the three, Laidlow looks the least comfortable. Too early to draw conclusions, but are alarm bells starting to ring for the Frenchman?
09:40 ⚡ Marquardt takes the lead
Matthew Marquardt flies past Jonas Schomburg, who appears to be in difficulty.
Magnus Ditlev and Gregory Barnaby also power past the long-time leader. Craig Alexander suggests on commentary that Schomburg may be cramping.
A huge change at the front of the men’s race.
09:27 ⏱️ Big names, growing gaps
Two huge names have plenty of work ahead: defending champion Solveig Løvseth is 5:30 behind Taylor Knibb, while Laura Philipp is at +9:17.
Both have lost further ground since the swim. There’s still a long way to go, but the leading pair are making the task increasingly difficult for these two major contenders.
09:25 ⌚ Derron won’t watch the clock
The two women in third to ninth who will likely be the biggest threats on the run are Derron and Matthews.
And Derron’s position behind the leading pair brings her pre-race comments into focus.
“Coming off the bike with a bit of a deficit isn’t something that worries me too much because I know about my strength in the run,” she told Laura Siddall for TRI247.
And when the marathon comes, she won’t be chasing a number on her wrist: “I don’t run with a watch.”
09:22 🔥 Just 15 seconds in it
An absorbing battle up front: after 45 miles / 73km, Taylor Knibb leads Lucy Charles-Barclay by just 15 seconds.
Behind them, the gaps to Knibb are:
- 3. Imogen Simmonds +2:15
- 4. Julie Derron +2:19
- 5. Hannah Berry +3:35
- 6. Paula Findlay +3:37
- 7. Lisa Perterer +3:41
- 8. Regan Hollioake +3:49
- 9. Kat Matthews +4:01
Lucy is keeping Taylor firmly within reach, while Simmonds and Derron remain the closest chasers.
09:18 ⚠️ Penalty for Riddle
We’re hearing that Jamie Riddle has received a drafting penalty, which he’ll serve at the next penalty tent in Hawi.
A setback for the South African after helping drive the swim pace and featuring prominently early on the bike.
09:17 🇳🇴 Blummenfelt moves up
Kristian Blummenfelt is moving ominously in the right direction, reaching the back of the main chase group as the men hit halfway on the bike.
He’s 2:38 behind leader Jonas Schomburg — still ground to make up, but increasingly well placed after a difficult start to the ride.
09:09 👀 Ditlev moves into view
We’ve barely mentioned uber-biker Magnus Ditlev so far, but he’s nicely positioned: eighth after 53 miles, 1:58 behind Jonas Schomburg and about to bridge up to the chase pack.
He came out of the swim 2:02 off the lead, so his deficit is almost unchanged – but he’s moving up the order. One to keep a close eye on as the bike unfolds.
09:05 🇫🇷 Luis trusts his run
Vincent Luis is among the men chasing Schomburg in the men’s race – and his pre-race confidence makes him intriguing as this bike unfolds.
“I think it’s the best running shape I’ve ever had,” he told TRI247’s Laura Siddall on Thursday.
He was also clear about pacing: “I’m not afraid of letting the race go and for sure trying to catch people on the run.”
There’s a long way to go before we find out who’s judged their effort best.
09:01 🚴 Lange rides on!
An update to our earlier report: Patrick Lange is back riding, so his race isn’t over just yet.
He looked in real difficulty when stopped over his handlebars, but the three-time champion is continuing. We’ll keep track of his progress.
09:00 🧠 Lucy’s balancing act
Lucy Charles-Barclay’s response to Knibb shows she’s ready to fight. But she came here conscious of the need to manage her effort.
“Last year there were early warning signs, even at the beginning of the bike, that something wasn’t right,” she told Laura Siddall for TRI247 earlier this week.
Today she planned to judge how she feels alongside heart-rate and CORE sensor data. “The priority is always finishing and finishing healthy.”
We don’t want a FULL replay of 2025…
08:54 🔥 Lucy fights back
Lucy Charles-Barclay bridges back to Taylor Knibb — and takes the lead!
That’s a statement from Lucy, but Taylor responds straight away and moves back in front.
This is the fight we wanted. Neither is letting the other get away easily.
08:51 💔 Is Lange’s farewell already over?
Three-time champion Patrick Lange is slumped over his handlebars on the side of the road in what is his final race at Kona.
This looks like being a hugely disappointing end for one of the island’s great champions. On commentary, Craig Alexander believes it’s the same spot where Lange withdrew in 2022.
We’ll bring you more shortly…
08:46 ⚠️ Trouble for Van Riel
Marten Van Riel is vomiting, reports on-course broadcaster Sam Appleton, as the chase group ride past him at the end of the Queen K.
Appleton describes conditions as “really, really humid” — and the sun is coming out just as they begin the climb towards Hawi. A worrying moment for the Belgian.
08:43 🚴 Knibb takes the lead
Taylor Knibb has caught and passed Lucy Charles-Barclay!
She swoops past and quickly opens a seven-second advantage at the 33-mile point. The swim deficit is gone – now we’ll see how Lucy responds.
08:31 👀 Derron impresses Ryf
Julie Derron is in a “super position” to have a great day, reckons Daniela Ryf on live commentary.
She remains third, alongside Imogen Simmonds at +1:26, as Taylor Knibb gets closer and closer to Lucy Charles-Barclay up front.
Kat Matthews is going nicely in ninth at +2:54, while Solveig Løvseth is 4:37 back. Laura Philipp still faces a deficit of more than eight minutes.
08:27 💔 Davies out on debut
Sad news for Britain’s Daisy Davies, who has stepped off the bike course and is out of her first Kona.
We’ll bring you the reason for her withdrawal as soon as it’s confirmed.
08:23 🚴 Laidlow moves up
Sam Laidlow is showing patience while moving forward — he’s up to second after 30 miles, in the group behind Jonas Schomburg.
Van Riel, Marquardt, Koolhaas, Barnaby, Luis and Benito Lopez are also there, occupying second to eighth.
The Norwegians are losing ground though: Gustav Iden is 2:25 back, Kristian Blummenfelt 2:49. Still early, but the gaps are growing.
Kona hasn’t been a great fit so far for Blummenfelt’s incredible talents – is history repeating itself?
08:09 ☀️ Knibb closes as heat builds
The roads are drying quickly, but the heat and humidity are rising.
After 17 miles, Lucy Charles-Barclay’s lead over Taylor Knibb is down to 41 seconds. Julie Derron is third at +1:03, with Imogen Simmonds fourth at +1:08.
There’s then a gap to the rest, who are nearly two minutes or more behind Lucy. Four women setting the early pace – with Derron firmly in the mix.
07:58 ⚠️ Kanute penalised, Schomburg leads
Ben Kanute has received a drafting penalty — an early setback as the men’s bike race takes shape.
No such danger for Jonas Schomburg, who has moved clear at the front after 17 miles, a handful of seconds ahead of Menno Koolhaas and Marten Van Riel.
Sam Laidlow is fourth, 32 seconds back. Schomburg promised commitment on the bike, and he’s delivering it early.
07:47 🚴 Knibb goes for ventilation
Taylor Knibb has opted for a road helmet rather than a TT helmet – an individual choice balancing reduced aerodynamics against improved ventilation and heat management.
It’s another reminder that Kona is about managing the whole day, as well as going fast.
The roads are wet for everyone by the way, though not excessively so.
07:44 🚴 Iden moves past Blummenfelt
Menno Koolhaas was quickest through transition and led the early stages of the bike in the men’s race.
Kristian Blummenfelt has lost ground, though. At 14km he was 22nd, 1:26 behind, and had been overtaken by Gustav Iden, who started the bike further back.
An early reversal of fortunes for the two Norwegians – alarm bells for Big Blu or is he managing his energy nicely?
07:33 ⏱️ Mixed fortunes for the favourites
Kat Matthews is out 14th in 54:57, just 3:28 behind Lucy Charles-Barclay – a much better position relative to Lucy than last year.
Paula Findlay follows in 55:02, with defending champion Solveig Løvseth clocking 55:29, four minutes off the lead.
A tougher start for Laura Philipp: 30th in 1:00:03, leaving her 8:34 to make up. Plenty of racing ahead, but that’s a significant early deficit.
Meanwhile the GOAT Daniela Ryf out on the swim course in her expert summariser role on the live broadcast says plenty of the women were “looking seasick” after getting out of the water.
07:25 🏊 Lucy leads again
Seven Kona starts, seven swim leads for Lucy Charles-Barclay! She’s out in 51:29, with Taylor Knibb second in 52:55, a deficit of 1:26.
Marta Sanchez follows four seconds later, while Julie Derron is sixth in 53:09 – well positioned among the chasers on her Kona debut.
Lucy has played her trump card. Now comes the bike…
Here’s the top 10:
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Swim time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucy Charles-Barclay | GBR | 51:29 |
| 2 | Taylor Knibb | USA | 52:55 |
| 3 | Marta Sanchez | ESP | 52:59 |
| 4 | Rachel Zilinskas | USA | 53:07 |
| 5 | Imogen Simmonds | SUI | 53:08 |
| 6 | Julie Derron | SUI | 53:09 |
| 7 | Hannah Berry | NZL | 53:12 |
| 8 | Pâmella Oliveira | BRA | 53:15 |
| 9 | Daisy Davies | GBR | 53:19 |
| 10 | Lotte Wilms | NED | 54:31 |
07:19 🌊 Swell splits the chase
A big swell has broken up the back of the women’s chase group, with Kat Matthews and Solveig Løvseth two of the major contenders losing contact.
Conditions are getting increasingly choppy, but Julie Derron is going well. A demanding final stretch of the swim, with potentially significant gaps opening behind Lucy Charles-Barclay.
07:14 🏊 Van Riel leads them out
Marten Van Riel was first out of the water in 48:17, followed by Menno Koolhaas in 48:18 and Wilhelm Hirsch in 48:21.
Just 12 seconds covered the top ten. Patrick Lange was right there too, clocking 48:30 in 11th, with Vincent Luis in 48:31 and Sam Laidlow in 48:33. Kristian Blummenfelt was 24th in 48:48, Gustav Iden was 27th in 50:10, Magnus Ditlev was 30th in 50:19
The swim pressure stretched the field, but several major contenders start the bike within seconds of the lead.
Here’s the top 10:
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Swim time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marten Van Riel | BEL | 48:17 |
| 2 | Menno Koolhaas | NED | 48:18 |
| 3 | Wilhelm Hirsch | GER | 48:21 |
| 4 | Matthew Marquardt | USA | 48:25 |
| 5 | Kacper Stepniak | POL | 48:25 |
| 6 | Antonio Benito Lopez | ESP | 48:27 |
| 7 | Jamie Riddle | RSA | 48:28 |
| 8 | Pierre Le Corre | FRA | 48:29 |
| 9 | Jumpei Furuya | JPN | 48:29 |
| 10 | Andrea Salvisberg | SUI | 48:29 |
07:05 🇳🇴 Blummenfelt bridges back
Kristian Blummenfelt has almost regained contact with the front group. An encouraging response – but how much did that effort cost him, is it an early match burned?
“He’s fighting for his life here,” says Craig Alexander on the live broadcast in what is already a brilliant commentary box combo with the outstanding Will McCloy and Mirinda Carfrae.
Big Blu’s great friend and compatriot Gustav Iden is around a minute back. Still a long day ahead, but contrasting positions for the two Norwegians as the swim unfolds.
07:01 🏊 Chasers come into focus
Marta Sanchez and Lara Hernandez-Tome have joined Taylor Knibb at the front of the women’s chase pack.
It’s now clear that Solveig Løvseth and Kat Matthews are both going well in that group.
But Laura Philipp is already quite a way back, as Lucy Charles-Barclay continues to lead.
06:59 ⚠️ Blummenfelt loses contact
It’s taken a while, but the men’s lead line is starting to break up – and Kristian Blummenfelt is one of those losing contact.
He’s dropped off the back and is temporarily in no man’s land between groups. The pressure at the front is beginning to tell.
06:55 🏊 Knibb leads the pursuit
A different picture in the women’s race, with Lucy Charles-Barclay still well clear.
Taylor Knibb is going well in second, setting the pace in the chase pack. Behind her, Laura Philipp and Solveig Løvseth are among the favourites struggling to stay in touch – potentially important gaps before the bike even begins.
06:45 📱 The pressure is showing
Pierre Le Corre reaches the turnaround first as the swim WhatsApp group continue taking turns at the front in the men’s race.
Their work is having an effect: the field is stretched into one long line, with around 25–30 men still attached and Kristian Blummenfelt near the back.
Gustav Iden is in the next group of five – an early separation worth watching.
06:40 🏊 Lucy makes statement start
Wilhelm Hirsch, Jamie Riddle and Pierre Le Corre are also to the fore in the men’s swim along with Van Riel and Schomburg. The leaders are sharing the work really well, but the big guns aren’t too far behind.
In the women’s race, it’s already one-way traffic after a statement start from Lucy Charles-Barclay. Her swim trump card is firmly on the table. Taylor Knibb is pacemaking the chase pack.
06:30 💥 The women are off!
The cannon goes again and the women’s race is under way, ten minutes after the men.
Lucy Charles-Barclay has led the women’s swim six times from six starts at Kona. Can anyone stay with her today – and how many of the men will she overtake before T1? 🏊
06:27 📱 The swim plan takes shape
There’s already quite a bit of separation in the men’s race as members of the much-discussed swim WhatsApp group drive the pace.
Marten Van Riel led the way before Jonas Schomburg took over. Their plan to share the work and put rivals under pressure is very much in play.
06:20 💥 The men are off!
The cannon has sounded and the men’s IRONMAN World Championship is under way!
The water has calmed a little as the sun comes up, with 3.8km of ocean swimming ahead. Who will set the pace – and who can stay with them? 🏊
06:15 🏊 Five minutes to go!
The men’s athlete introductions are complete and they’re now heading down towards the water.
We’ve also just had the national anthem and the nerves are no doubt at their highest.
Now it’s the women’s intros, just before the men start.
Months of preparation, a week of predictions – and now just five minutes until the gun goes. Kona 2026 is almost under way! 🌺
06:10 😬 Lange feels the nerves
Patrick Lange isn’t hiding his pre-race emotions ahead of his final Kona before retirement.
“I’m super, super nervous, but mega excited.”
With rain falling, he joked that the island “seems to be crying a little bit”.
His assessment is more serious: “It’s gonna be a really tough day, even tougher than we expected maybe.”
06:08 🏊 Riddle wants pressure
Jamie Riddle plans to push the swim – with a clear purpose.
“When there’s a bit of pressure, that opens you up to make mistakes… if I want any chance of going up against the big guys, I need them to make mistakes.”
But this isn’t about emptying the tank immediately. His approach: “Aggressive but also patient.”
06:06 🌊 Rough water? Lucy welcomes it
Lucy Charles-Barclay thinks a choppy swim could work to her advantage.
“I might not get the swim record, which would be a shame… but I think it should play into my favour if it’s a bit rougher.”
After missing the 70.3 Worlds, she describes the past month as “a perfect prep”.
“Anything can happen on this island,” she added. “Fingers crossed I can do what I’ve done in training.”
06:04 🎶 Iden’s chilled start
Gustav Iden has found a little help keeping the nerves under control.
“Normally I’m super nervous. This morning it’s been pretty chill so far. I had some Bob Marley on bringing the nerves way down.”
Relaxed before the start. Patient once the racing begins? That’s often been a winning combination for Gustav…
06:02 🧠 Blummenfelt: race smart
Kristian Blummenfelt’s answer when asked what he needs to do to win was short and revealing:
“I think it needs to be a smart race, not blowing up like two years ago.”
The favourite knows that controlling his effort could be just as important as his speed today.
06:00 🌦️ Knibb ready for anything
Taylor Knibb is taking the changing weather in her stride.
“Even on the drive in, it was like rain, no rain, rain, no rain,” she told the live broadcast.
And the prospect of a choppy swim? “It changes so fast… it’ll be what it is. So just ready for anything.”
05:55 🌧️ Sweating on the weather forecast
If you’re just joining us, welcome to our live coverage – we’re just under half an hour from the start of the men’s race at 06:20 local time.
And the first thing to say is it’s raining.
It’s also warm and the humidity is forecast to go off the charts, making a seriously tough day even more challenging.
05:50 🏃 The runners nobody wants chasing them
Asked who she wouldn’t want alongside her with 10km remaining, Lucy Charles-Barclay named Julie Derron, Kat Matthews and Laura Philipp.
On Derron, she told TRI247: “She can handle the heat… she’s such a great runner.”
Derron, meanwhile, revealed that she races the run without a watch, responding to the competition and what she feels she can sustain.
That could be particularly valuable in Kona, where forcing a target pace can carry a heavy price. The question is how close these runners can stay before their strongest discipline begins.
05:50 ⏳ A warning before we get carried away
A big lead at T2 can look decisive. Kona has repeatedly shown that it isn’t.
Gustav Iden won here in 2022 after chasing down Sam Laidlow on the marathon. Patrick Lange also came from well behind the bike leader to win in 2024.
Iden’s patience is one of his great strengths. Blummenfelt, a born racer, faces that familiar Kona question: when to respond, and when to trust his own pace?
We’ll track the gaps today – but resist handing out the trophy before the run.
05:45 😊 Findlay’s already on a winner
Paula Findlay’s move to IRONMAN has brought more than a victory at Lake Placid.
“The win was enjoying that race and enjoying the training leading up to it,” she told TRI247’s Laura Siddall, describing how the change renewed her excitement about the sport.
She also has former Kona podium finisher Heather Jackson in her corner — offering experience, emotional support and repeated reassurance that she’s ready.
Today is only Findlay’s second IRONMAN. What a place to find out how far this new chapter can take her.
05:40 🇺🇸 Could US stars change narrative?
The American men haven’t consistently turned success on home soil into results against the strongest international fields. Could today be different?
Trevor Foley and Matthew Marquardt are two particularly interesting contenders — and both shortened noticeably in the betting market during the build-up.
That doesn’t win them anything once the gun goes, of course. But it adds another reason to track their progress closely.
Here’s where they sit in our men’s power rankings.
05:35 🇫🇷 Vincent Luis: one last big day?
Vincent Luis is preparing for what he intends to be his final professional race. But retirement can wait until the finish.
“I promised my coach that I would not think about retirement until I crossed the line,” he told Laura Siddall for TRI247.
He also believes he’s in “the best running shape I’ve ever had”.
And there is a possible twist: Luis says a victory here could make him reconsider calling it a day. Quite a way to leave that decision open…
05:30 🌺 First Kona, huge ambitions
Being new to Kona doesn’t necessarily mean being here to learn quietly.
Marten Van Riel and Jonas Schomburg could help shape the men’s race from the swim onwards. Julie Derron and Paula Findlay arrive with the ability to make a major impression in the women’s race.
There’s an important distinction here: a Kona debut isn’t necessarily an IRONMAN World Championship debut — Van Riel, for example, raced in Nice last year.
Meet our ten Kona newcomers to watch.
05:25 🚴 Don’t overlook defending champion
There’s plenty of talk about Knibb’s bike power, Lucy’s swim and the runners waiting behind them. But Solveig Løvseth belongs right at the centre of this conversation.
Her victory last year came amid extraordinary late drama, yet her performance before that shouldn’t get lost in the retelling.
The defending champion has the strength to influence the bike race herself. If she reaches the marathon well placed, her rivals will know exactly how dangerous she is.
05:20 🔮 Who are you backing?
We’ve heard from athletes, experts and podcasters all week. Now it’s almost time to find out who called it right.
The betting markets made Kristian Blummenfelt and Taylor Knibb favourites, but our broadcast team predictions tell an interesting story too.
Four of the seven picked Gustav Iden to win the men’s race. The women’s winning votes were shared between Knibb, Lucy Charles-Barclay, Solveig Løvseth and Kat Matthews.
Plenty of confidence. Very little consensus.
05:15 🇳🇴 Two Norwegians, two visions of victory
We asked Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt what their perfect winning race would look like. Their answers were rather different…
Iden would happily spend most of the day chasing: “Taking the victory, the last 2k is more than enough.”
Blummenfelt’s dream? Heading down Palani with a five-minute advantage over Marten Van Riel and Jonas Schomburg, securing the Pro Series title as well.
Both told TRI247’s Laura Siddall they’d like Sam Laidlow on the podium alongside them. A reunion of 2022 — with a little disagreement over the order! 👀
05:10 🏊 Lucy’s ready to play her trump card
If there’s one athlete everyone will be watching when the women’s swim starts, it’s Lucy Charles-Barclay.
“For me, the swim is like my trump card,” she told Laura Siddall in our pre-race TRI247 interview. “So I’m trying to use it and maximise it as much as possible. But I’m not redlining.”
The aim is to create an advantage without paying for it later. Who can stay on her feet — and how much will chasing her cost them?
05:05 🇳🇴 The champions missing out
Two huges name we won’t see today are Casper Stornes, the reigning men’s IRONMAN World Champion, who was ruled out following a bike crash. And Chelsea Sodaro, the 2022 women’s winner here in Kona, who announced yesterday she is struggling with illness.
Stornes’ absence ends the prospect of another Norwegian podium sweep following last year’s race in Nice. But Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt are both here – and both have their sights firmly on victory.
It also changes the Pro Series picture. Kona is the final counting race for both men and women, with $200,000 for each Series champion. Here’s our guide to the title permutations.
05:00 🏊 🚴 🏃 Familiar roads, uncertain racing
Ahead lies a 3.8km ocean swim, 180km bike and 42.2km marathon – but those distances only tell part of the Kona story.
There’s the ride to Hawi, the exposed Queen K and the Energy Lab on the run. Then add heat, humidity, wind, nutrition and the small pacing decisions that can have enormous consequences later.
We’ve put together a full swim, bike and run course guide. Today is about getting through that course fastest while keeping everything together.
04:55 📺 Your essential race-day details
The professional men start at 06:20 here in Hawaii, with the women following ten minutes later at 06:30. That’s 17:20 and 17:30 in the UK and an hour later in central Europe. On the US East Coast it’s all under way at 12:20 EDT while on the US West Coast it’s 09:20 PDT. In Sydney and Melbourne it’s 03:20 AEDT on Sunday while in New Zealand it’s 05:20 NZDT on Sunday.
There’s free live coverage on the IRONMAN YouTube channel and via IRONMAN Pro Series while you can get a four-screen version on Smart TVs.
This page will be your perfect companion to all of that and bring you right up to speed if you can’t watch throughout – so settle in for a long and potentially dramatic day.
Looking for a particular athlete’s bib number? Here are the full men’s start list and women’s start list.
04:50 🌺 Aloha and welcome to Kona!
Two world titles. Two IRONMAN Pro Series crowns. One huge day of racing.
The professional men and women are racing on the same day in Hawaii for the first time since 2019, and we’ll be following both races right here – from the opening swim strokes to the finish on Ali’i Drive.
Can Gustav Iden regain his crown? Will Kristian Blummenfelt land the Kona and Pro Series double? And who comes out on top in a women’s field packed with potential winners? Let’s get into it…
