Week 43
Is this THE year that IM World Champs in Kona comes down to a photo finish? If we were betting on it - we’d say this is going to be a championship race for the books, with slimmer-than-ever-margins to take the top podium spot.
Who are the Dark Horses for 2024?
“Spain’s Antonio Benito López will debut as the World Triathlon long-course world champion following victory in Townsville, Australia. Australia’s Wurf may not feature in the final reckoning, but, along with Sweden’s Robert Kallin and USA’s Matthew Marquardt, is likely to mix things up on the bike leg.
Plenty of eyes will also be on Canadian Lionel Sanders, who will hope to revive memories of 2017, where he finished second to Lange but has had a miserable time in three appearances on the Big Island since.
As for British hopes. With no Joe Skipper, who was fifth in 2022 but has struggled this season, it leaves just two triathletes flying the Union flag. Kieran Lindars is making his debut having qualified among emotional scenes in Frankfurt.
While Lindars has his work cut out to make the top 15 and earn prize money, his front pack swim ability and the confidence afforded by becoming the fastest ever British Ironman in Germany work to his favour. The heat and humidity of Kona make it a different beast but one that Kona veteran David McNamee understands well as he returns for a seventh time, hoping to bring the form of 2017 and 2018, where he finished third twice — the best result ever by a British man in the event. “ -Tim Heming via 220 Triathlon
In this week’s email:
Kona WC By The Numbers: It’s Kona Week, baby! Along with $375,000 in prize money, check out the interesting numbers that make up this unique event.
Butter is Better: In a world of Oat Milk Lattes & avocado oil fries - embrace the dairy basics & fats. The Big Fat Surprise is a great read that reframes the way we look at what is considered a ‘good’ fat and what we should REALLY be eating.
Disney Runner Superfans: Brooks is officially collaborating with runDisney in 2025 for a whole line of runDisney merch; including Disney-inspired shoes! We’re kind of hear for it as long as they aren’t Disney Gift Shop prices.
TriBike Transport Saga Continues: TBT is attempting to sue IRONMAN for breach of contract. TLDR; TBT is crying that IM didn’t plug them enough in marketing emails and drive athletes to use TBT to transport tri bikes, thus resulting in TBT’s demise. Okaaay.
👇Watch a Cadence-recommended Vid: Copious amounts of sweet potatoes and kale won’t keep your blood sugar level even-keeled; but plain ol’ spuds might…
Harlo Launches 3-in-1 Electrolyte Drink
Experience Harlo’s unique 3-in-1 formula—collagen, creatine, and electrolytes all in one for optimal health.
Post of the Week: The goodest endurance boy (and VERY photogenic…we might add!)
Race Results of the Week: presented by Sportstats.One
Tidbits
1000 Mile (running) Record: This electrician by trade, EXTREME ultrarunner by vocation just set a record that is probably going to stand for quote some time - 1000 mile record, all on a single track. And yes, he recorded it all for his Strava feed. Legendary.
✅Triathlon Racing Warnings: Anything that involves open bodies of water, roads with vehicular traffic on it, and reliance on local authorities to keep you safe is going to come with inherent risks. But have sanctioned triathlon events gotten a little lax with the way they produce an event? Recently, 2 triathletes died at the World Sprint Triathlon Championship.
✅Ancestry + Carbs: Loving carbs is literally IN our DNA, study finds. Not sure if this makes us feel better about our ravenous desire to carboload even when our only plans are to sit on the couch. Read more here, so you too may feel guilt-free about your love for carbs.
✅Endurance Rafting: Usually when we’re sharing endurance bucket list items - it’s SWIMMING in the water, not rafting. This video was too cool, and has definitely been added to our bucket list. It takes Colorado white water rafting to a totally new extreme.
✅One Word: WHY? OK - we’ve seen the first triathlon in Antarctica, we’ve followed the Iron Cowboy, but now this? A fully underwater triathlon? Really not sure why this was even attempted but it caught our attention while doom scrolling on the ‘Gram.
🏃Bucket List Recs
Big training week behind ya and want to add something to your bucket list? Need something to kick your butt into high gear? Check out our endurance bucket list recs below and sign up for something you’ll probably regret when you’re doing a 20 mile training run in August in the Midwest.
BRAT: Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee - similar to RAGBRAI, this multi-day race/fondo rides across the width of TN - always through small towns, beautiful countrysides and full of good vibes. See more info HERE.
Cornbread Fondo: This gravel cycling race that spans 2 states: Tennessee and Alabama, and is hosted in conjunction with the National Cornbread Festival - with cornbread-themed aid stations, beer at the finish, what more could you ask for? Registration isn’t open yet - but should be in the next couple of weeks!
Clash Endurance - Daytona: If you need a final race to round out your 2024 race szn, Clash Daytona is a great option - you get the opportunity to ride and run on the infield of storied Daytona Speedway. Not many races can flex such an iconic venue - and Clash does it right. Sign up HERE.
Performance Of The Week(end): Married couple Andy Bowman and Sydney Devore both take the WIN in the Detroit FREEP Marathon
Cadence Weekly
Enjoy 10 minutes of all things endurance news, results, and tips, straight to your inbox every Tuesday.