Search
shop

No No No: Sam Long confirms Kona is off his 2022 agenda

'Big Unit' will not head for Hawaii in 2022
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Sam Long has re-iterated that he will not race in the 2022 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona this October.

The 26-year-old ‘Big Unit’ would have been among the contenders for glory on triathlon’s eagerly-awaited return to the ‘Big Island’.

But he raised some eyebrows earlier this week when the announcement that he would be racing at Challenge Roth in early July was accompanied by the footnote that he would not be going to Hawaii.

Advertisement

Sam Long explains Kona no go

Later Long confirmed the fact in a post on Facebook, explaining: “The news is true. I have no Kona intentions this year. I have decided to focus on @challengeroth and then after that I will focus on the middle distance.

“For my development and career I do not want to be focused on full distance all year. Roth has always called to me and following my heart is number 1️⃣.”

Long’s main focus during the second half of the season – once Roth is out of the way – will be the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in St George. The American was second there last year behind Gustav Iden, and will aim to go one better in 2022.

St George the next big test

While Kona is not on his schedule, the first IRONMAN World Championship of this unique triathlon year most definitely is – the delayed 2021 vintage set for May 7, also in St George.

Long has full focus now on preparing for that huge test, after registering impressive back-to-back wins at CLASH Miami and Challenge Puerto Varas to start his 2022 campaign. There had been a possibility he might also race IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside next Saturday, but that now appears to be off the table.

Sam currently sits at #5 in the PTO World Rankings, with only the aforementioned Iden, Jan Frodeno, Lionel Sanders and Daniel Bækkegård ahead of him.

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
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth 2025 men’s results: INCREDIBLE comeback win for Sam Laidlow
Laura Philipp celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Challenge Roth 2025 women’s results: World Champion Laura Philipp a class apart
Sam Laidlow Challenge Roth run 2025
WATCH AGAIN: Challenge Roth 2025 as Philipp and Laidlow take centre stage
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
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...