Sam Laidlow says he is excited at the prospect of getting ‘a big run in the legs’ when he kicks off his 2026 season at the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday.
The former IRONMAN World Champion has confirmed his intention to join a sold-out field of 32,000 runners in the Catalan capital as he looks to complete preparations for what he hopes will be a successful triathlon campaign.
Laidlow first teased the idea of taking on his new challenge during a 2025 wrap-up video on YouTube, where he explained he was keen to give himself a ‘running goal’ and ‘maybe bring me some confidence to know that I can run fast’.
Troubled build-up to Barca
He had intended to run with fellow triathlete and friend Arthur Horseau, but a quad injury has since ruled Horseau out after he suffered a contracture during a training run last week.
Indeed, preparations for the race have not gone at all smoothly in the Laidlow camp, with the Frenchman revealing how a virus and niggling foot injury have caused him to reassess his workload in the lead-up to tackling the Spanish streets.
“Why does 42.2km suddenly feel so long when it’s the only thing you have to do?!”, he posted on his Instagram page. “Barcelona Marathon this weekend. Everything was going real nice up until 3 weeks ago, when a virus hit our whole little training squad.
“Have been struggling with some foot pain ever since and have had to drastically reduce the volume. But nonetheless, I’m excited to see the Hoka family and get a big run in the legs.
“We’re documenting the whole thing from now until after the race… so whatever happens, you’ll see it. First film of 2026 coming soon 🎥.”
Horseau confirms injury prognosis
Horseau officially ruled himself out of the race on Friday morning via a message on his Instagram page, which read: “I was supposed to run the Barcelona Marathon this weekend… then the MRI came back: muscle oedema in the quadriceps and right adductor. No fracture, but I can’t run.
“Now: recover, understand, come back stronger 💪 Triathlon season is what’s next 👊.”
Laidlow confirmed this week that he would be returning to defend his Challenge Roth title this year in what promises to be a race for the ages, with the likes of Kristian Blummenfelt in the men’s field and a mouthwatering battle between Kat Matthews and Laura Philipp teed up on the women’s side of the race.
He has also made it clear that his focus for the season very much remains on achieving success at the IRONMAN World Championships and will only be using his sojourn into marathon running as a confidence builder for the biggest races to come.
Of course, he is not the first triathlete to wander into marathon territory. Last year saw Alex Yee tackle both the London and Valencia races, as the Olympic gold medallist finished 14th in England with a time of 2:11:08 and seventh in Valencia as he clocked the second-fastest time ever by a Briton at 2:06:38.
Can Laidlow match Yee’s impact?
With Laidlow very much a full-distance specialist compared to Yee’s short-course prowess, it means he is well used to running 42.2km as the final leg of his multidisciplinary efforts.
He bounced back from illness and injury last season to enjoy an incredible win at Challenge Roth before then also crossing the tape first at IRONMAN Leeds before finishing in a more than respectable fifth at the IRONMAN World Championships in Nice.
His marathon times in those three races were the three best ever in his triathlon career, with a 2:37:19 at Roth, a 2:41:15 in Leeds, and a 2:42:23 in Nice. All eyes will now be on him to see just how fast he can go without the need to swim 3.86km and ride 180.25km beforehand.
