Expect savage racing at the final Ironman 70.3 St. George as pros battle to go down in history

The final curtain drops on what came to be a beloved Ironman 70.3 race course set against Utah’s stunning red rock backdrop. The players returning to defend their titles include a “duathlete” and a “poetry in motion” cyclist.

American Sam Long and Canadian Paula Findlay will either go down in history as the reigning champions in St. George, or forfeit their crowning aero helmets to a new cast of players in the final scene. Long hasn’t made any significant gains in his swim performance so far this season, but it was enough last year to outrun New Zealand’s Ben Hamilton.

Will the curse of Oceanside haunt Findlay?

Findlay will have to once again run down American Jackie Hering, who most recently led Ironman 70.3 Oceanside until Findlay doubled down on the run to make the pass. Hering was also the runner up last year in St. George. She will be on the hunt for redemption and may be the lucky benefactor of the “Oceanside curse,” which has seen many winners at the early-season race falter for the remainder of the season.

Strong in the swim, grace under pressure on the bike, and full of guts on the run, Findlay will undoubtably dig deep to solidify her legacy in Utah. In a sport where anything can happen down to the last few metres, Findlay will have to check her shoulder for other strong competitors like Americans Danielle Lewis, Lisa Becharas and Jocelyn McCauley.

Will Long and Sanders be foaming at the mouth in lock step on the run?

Findlay’s win at Oceanside went down alongside fellow Canadian Lionel Sander’s ruthless performance, delivering a Canadian sweep of the top podium spot. After skipping out on Ironman Texas due to illness, Sanders is expected to be in top form in St. George. A showdown between training buddies Long and Sanders is always a treat to watch. They’ve delivered some of the most exciting moments in triathlon with their gritty, jaw-clenching, neck-in-neck battles on the run course.

Sanders has taken an unconventional approach to training this season – unconventional for him, given his propensity for annihilating himself in training and consuming eye-popping amounts of sugar and fast food. His latest health kick has so far delivered a commanding win in Oceanside. His decision to skip Texas stands out as a more reserved, recovery-focused approach to racing. It’s a decision that could signal a breakout year for Sanders, even though fans love him just as much for his insane approach to, well … everything.

The pack is circling and sure to move in for a kill

Beyond the top dogs, there’s a pack of vicious, hungry beasts licking their lips, visualizing a savage feast of silky smooth cyclists and grimaced runners. Denmark’s Magnus Ditlev has consistently been in the mix and on the podium so far this season, with a reputation as one of the sport’s toughest to beat. On the chase is sure to be Canadians Matt Sharpe and Jackson Laundry, Australia’s Jake Birtwhistle and Cameron Wurf, as well a large contingent of American athletes including Justin Riele, Marc Dubrick, Trevor Foley, and Seth Rider.

The soon to be extinct race on the Ironman Pro Series circuit is sure to provide a few upsets given the devastating bike course and typical heat. Find out on May 10 which legends will be made and which will fall.