Search
shop

Jocelyn McCauley turns down IRONMAN World Championship place as race is now on a Sunday

American athlete, in the top 10 at Kona this year, won't race in Nice in 2024 as the event will be held on a Sunday.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Jocelyn McCauley, ranked in the top 25 in the world, has confirmed she won’t be racing at the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice next year as the event will be held on a Sunday.

The American, the winner of four full-distance IRONMAN events, including IRONMAN Texas last year, was in the top 10 at this year’s IMWC in Kona.

And she booked her spot for next year’s event in France at one of the first opportunities when coming third at last Saturday’s IRONMAN Florida.

Advertisement

‘What goes around, comes around’

But explaining her stance on social media, she said: “Fun story…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

“In Florida there were three Nice World Championship spots on offer. Being third I had the opportunity to take it. I love racing, especially racing against the best at championship races, but I promised God I wouldn’t race or train on Sundays and there is nothing more important to me than Him. Nice worlds is on Sunday next year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

“So at awards when we were asked about our slots I shook my head “no”. @erinsnelgrove17 didn’t know I was turning mine down and she lit up. It was SO fun and rewarding to see.

“I found out later she had turned down her slot to Kona worlds this year because she was getting married so I thought it was awesome that “what goes around, comes around” and I wish you all the best in Nice!”

Faith comes first

One of the best known cases of an athlete not racing on a Sunday was dramatised in the 1981 film ‘Chariots of Fire’, partly about Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian.

Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas
[Photo Credit – Kyle Rivas / Getty Images for IRONMAN]

McCauley has skipped the 70.3 World Championships in the past for the same reason but this is the first time the full-distance version for women will be held on a Sunday.

Traditionally it has always been on a Saturday in Kona but was held on a Thursday last year and now with the male / female split the biennial Nice event is currently on a Sunday.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...