Another Sanders vs Long showdown – how to watch Ironman Chattanooga

With eight Canadian pros on the start list for this weekend’s Ironman Chattanooga, there is lots for Canadian triathlon fans to look forward to, but most of the attention is likely to be focussed on the highly anticipated race between American Sam Long and Canada’s Lionel Sanders.

The two were involved in a thrilling sprint finish at the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship in St. George in May, with Sanders taking the day. The following month it appeared that we were in for another close race at Ironman Coeur d’Alene, but Sanders would be slowed to a walk thanks to nutrition issues, so we never got to see the much-anticipated duel between the two.

In Chattanooga Long will be no-doubt be on a high after his impressive runner-up finish at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, while Sanders arrives off a bit of a rest after a crazy schedule that saw him race in Germany against Jan Frodeno in the Tri-Battle Royale, then compete at Ironman Copenhagen and the Collins Cup on back to back weekends a month later.

As much as folks will be excited about the Long/ Sanders showdown, Sanders isn’t the only Canadian who could be in the hunt for the title. Cody Beals, who won Ironman Chattanooga in 2018 (in just his second full-distance effort), is also competing. Other Canadian men in the field include Jason Pohl, Mikael Staer Nathan and Nick Cosman.

Naeth wears #1

Defending women’s champion Angela Naeth will wear race #1 this weekend, but she’ll face some stiff competition in the hunt for another win in Tennessee, including from another Canadian, Penticton’s Jen Annett. There’s also Canadian-born Skye Moench, but possibly the most likely women’s favourite is Australia’s Carrie Lester, who won in Coeur d’Alene earlier this year and also took the challenging full distance race in Embrun, too. American Linsey Corbin is another to keep an eye on, especially in the latter stages of the race.

Another Canadian in the field is former Xterra world champ Mel McQuaid.

You can see the full start list here.

Live coverage

This weekend’s race will be featured on Ironman’s Facebook Watch page – the coverage will begin on Sunday morning at 7:05 AM.