Chelsea Sodaro Returns and Paula Findlay Debuts at Deep IRONMAN Lake Placid Pro Series Race

The Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series heads to the Adirondack Mountains this Sunday, July 19, for the 27th edition of the Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid. Nearly 80 of the world's top professional triathletes are set to converge on the two-time Winter Olympic host town, drawn by one of the most iconic and demanding courses on the global calendar. The historic venue, known for its passionate crowds and grueling terrain, will serve as a critical battleground for athletes chasing late-season momentum.[1][2]

The stakes in upstate New York are exceptionally high. The race offers a maximum of 5,000 points toward the year-long Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series standings, alongside a $125,000 professional prize purse. Crucially, the event also provides four qualifying slots per gender for the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, making it a pivotal stop for athletes looking to secure their ticket to the sport's biggest stage.[2][5]

The women's professional field is headlined by the highly anticipated return of American Chelsea Sodaro. The 2022 IRONMAN World Champion is making her 2026 season debut, choosing the legendary Lake Placid course to launch her campaign. Sodaro's presence adds a marquee name to the start list, and her performance will be closely monitored as she looks to re-establish her dominance in the full-distance arena after a delayed start to the year.[1][3]

Equally compelling is the full-distance debut of Canadian star Paula Findlay. A dominant force over the middle distance, Findlay arrives fresh off her third consecutive victory at the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship in Pennsylvania. Widely regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished athletes in the sport, Findlay will finally test her renowned swim-bike-run strength over the grueling 140.6-mile distance, answering a question fans have been asking for years.[2][4]

Sodaro and Findlay will face fierce competition from a roster of proven Lake Placid performers. Austria's Lisa Perterer, who finished as the runner-up here last year, returns wearing bib number one. Perterer currently sits third overall in the 2025 IRONMAN Pro Series standings and recently delivered a strong fifth-place finish at the European Championship in Hamburg. Joining her is Spain's Marta Sanchez, who claimed third place at Lake Placid last year and has amassed over 7,000 Pro Series points this season.[4][5]

The women's race is further deepened by athletes firmly entrenched in the Pro Series title chase. Australia's Grace Thek, currently sixth in the standings, arrives as one of the most in-form athletes on the circuit. Meanwhile, Canada's Tamara Jewett, sitting eighth in the series, brings one of the most lethal running resumes in long-course triathlon, posing a significant threat if she remains within striking distance heading into the marathon.[3][4]

The men's race promises to be equally explosive, featuring a clash between the last two Lake Placid champions. Defending champion Matthew Marquardt of the United States returns wearing bib number one, bringing immense confidence after capturing the 2026 IRONMAN South Africa African Championship earlier this year. Marquardt's ability to pace the demanding Adirondack course makes him the man to beat.[2][5]

Standing in Marquardt's way is his compatriot Trevor Foley, the 2024 Lake Placid champion. Foley has been a revelation in 2026, remaining entirely unbeaten in Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series competition. With recent victories at IRONMAN New Zealand and the IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley, Foley's aggressive biking and running ability make him one of the most exciting athletes to watch on Sunday.[3][5]

The American duo will have to fend off a formidable European contingent. Belgium's Marten Van Riel continues his highly successful transition to full-distance racing, arriving with a recent win at IRONMAN 70.3 Elsinore and a runner-up finish at the IRONMAN Texas North American Championship. Denmark's Kristian Høgenhaug, who finished second at Lake Placid last year, will look to leverage his massive cycling power to break the field before the run.[1][3]

Ultimately, the race will be decided by the legendary Lake Placid course itself. Athletes will begin with a 2.4-mile swim in the crystal-clear, calm waters of Mirror Lake. They will then embark on a punishing 112-mile bike course through the Adirondack Mountains, characterized by long, grinding climbs and blistering descents. The day concludes with a 26.2-mile marathon that winds through the town and finishes on the historic Olympic Oval, where pacing and nutrition will dictate who breaks the tape.[1][3]