Search
shop

‘Huge middle-distance season’ beckons for Sam Long as he rules out Lake Placid

The world number six has revealed he will focus on middle-distance racing for the rest of this season and won't target the IMWC in Nice.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Sam Long has confirmed he’s all-in on middle distance racing for the rest of this year – and will resist the temptation to qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice.

Three flat tyres scuppered the ‘Big Unit’ at IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene last weekend as he was a DNF in a race won by Chris Leiferman.

Advertisement

Clear focus

That left him still needing to qualify if he wanted to take part in the first IMWC to be held in Nice.

And the only remaining North American option is IRONMAN Lake Placid on 23 July.

But writing on Instagram, Long said: “My plan remains unchanged. I will not pursue Lake Placid as many have suspected and will focus fully on a huge middle distance championships season.”

The 70.3 Worlds will take place in Lahti, Finland this year on 27 August while the PTO US Open three weeks earlier could be another prime target, though much more important than that is the fact that he and partner Lara Gruden are expecting their first child in the near future which could obviously dictate the race schedule.

Sam Long wins IRONMAN 70.3 St George 2023 [Photo credit: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images for IRONMAN]
[Photo credit: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images for IRONMAN]

Looking forward

The 27-year-old American is up to #6 in the PTO rankings after a season which has featured three straight wins, all of them at middle distance.

And he of course has unfinished business with the 70.3 Worlds after that contentious bike penalty which dropped him out of contention in St George last year, 12 months on from his second place in the event behind Gustav Iden.

But he bounced back from that day and it sounds like he’s doing the same following last weekend’s frustrations, adding on Instagram: “I’ve moved past this setback the best of any in my career. Focus on what you can control and I had no control in 3 flats.”

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
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Julie Derron wins T100 San Francisco 2025
Olympic medallist and T100 winner reveals she’s stepping up to full distance next
Sam Laidlow Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Laidlow prompts groundbreaking move as Race Ranger data will be made public
Kat Matthews IRONMAN Texas Finish Line 2025
Kat Matthews and Magnus Ditlev top 70.3 Swansea fields as IRONMAN Pro Series heads to Wales
Kristian Blummenfelt Kristian Hogenhaug Casper Stornes IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
Triathlon GOAT Mark Allen sends “great champions” message to red-hot superstar Kristian Blummenfelt
Zachary Josie bike
Age-group athlete with dwarfism says INCREDIBLE goal is “in his grasp” at Challenge Roth
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...