Sam Long has confirmed that he’s going to race IRONMAN Chattanooga this Sunday, just two weeks after the IRONMAN World Championship, labelling it “a Dirty Dog Double”.
The popular American relocated to Europe to focus on his training ahead of the IMWC in Nice, where he finished 14th behind a Norwegian clean sweep which was led by Casper Stornes.
Writing afterwards on Instagram, he said: “I came up with the best plan I was capable of which included 12 weeks in Europe. I did all the details I could to be a better swimmer, to be lean and mean on the climbs, improve my descending, and to build my endurance for a strong marathon.
“Yes, I thought maybe the place would be higher – but we are in an era where the level is insanely high and it is comparable to be 14th in the world in any other major sport.”
Title defence
And now, just 14 days later, Long will look to defend the IRONMAN Chattanooga title he won last season when he pipped Cody Beals in what turned into a solo day for both of them after the swim was cancelled following the devastation in a number of southern US states caused by Hurricane Helene.
Long is already a two-time IRONMAN 70.3 winner this season, one of which was also at Chattanooga so it’s a venue that already holds many special memories for him.
We reached out to double check the plan was definitely to race, which he confirmed it was and then later wrote: “I will attempt a Dirty Dog Double and line up at Ironman Chattanooga this weekend.
“Can’t believe it’s already race week again.
“Listening to my body (and my wife!! 😮🤪🙄😘), resting, doing extra parasympathetic work, but also finding the sweet spot of maintaining fitness. It’s been a fun challenge and I’m excited to see what unfolds.”
Schomburg shows the way
Remarkably Long isn’t the first athlete from the IRONMAN World Champs to race again so soon.
That honour went to Germany’s Jonas Schomburg, who excelled at Spain T100 last weekend.
While that event was ‘only’ over 100km rather than full-distance he showed what was possible with a superb third-placed finish behind Hayden Wilde and Jelle Geens.
There are two IMWC slots for Kona next year up for grabs at Chattanooga and among Long’s rivals are 2024 runner-up Beals plus Trevor Foley and Cam Wurf, who also raced in Nice.
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