Pro Start Lists Unveiled: Top Triathletes Head to St. George, Utah for the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship

– Defending IRONMAN 70.3 World Champions Gustav Iden (NOR) and Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) headline the pro start list just weeks after IRONMAN World Championship title and second-place finish, respectively

– Challengers include Taylor Knibb (USA) and Sam Long (USA), 2021 IRONMAN World Champion Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) and 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Flora Duffy (BER)

A strong field of professional triathletes from around the globe will converge in St. George, Utah for the late season Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN^® 70.3^® World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission with women’s professional race on Friday, Oct. 28 and men’s professional race on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The professional triathletes that will be starting the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission will be vying for a share of the $350,000 USD prize purse and the title of IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion. In addition to the professional field, over 6,000 age-group athletes are registered to compete in the Land of Endurance as they look to be crowned world champion in their respective age-group divisions. Live coverage of both race days of the Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission will air on Outside TV.

“With the caliber of athletes slated to race and the technical nature of the course, this will be a world championship title that is truly anyone’s for the taking,” said Andrew Messick, President & Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “We look forward to experiencing the action twice, first through the women’s race on Friday and then with the men’s race on Saturday, both of which will feature the stunning backdrop that is Southwest Utah.”

Professional Women’s Field
The Women’s field will take center stage on Friday, Oct. 28, in St. George, Utah, Washington County, and the surrounding areas as they look to close out the world championship racing in the month of October on a high note. Defending IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) looks to defend her crown following an impressive second-place performance at the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship just a couple weeks ago. Top American and Olympian Taylor Knibb will be one to watch as she burst onto the half-distance triathlon scene at the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission triathlon with an impressive third-place finish. 2020 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist Flora Duffy from Bermuda will join a strong group of women as she looks to leave her mark on the IRONMAN 70.3 space after significant success in short course racing. A large contingent of strong contenders will be coming from Great Britain and includes 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion and 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 Word Championship runner up Holly Lawrence, 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship runner up Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR), 2021 IRONMAN World Championship fifth place finisher Ruth Astle (GBR), as well as Nikki Bartlett (GBR). Paula Findlay (CAN), Jackie Hering (USA), and many more will all join in the battle for a spot atop the podium.

A full list of professional women’s field listed below:

*Subject to change

Professional Men’s Field
The professional men will take on the 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission on Saturday, Oct. 29. The field is led by Norway’s Gustav Iden and Kristian Blummenfelt as the heavy favorites. Iden heads to St. George after being crowned the 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Champion in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i just weeks earlier and the defending IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion. Blummenfelt returns to St. George after earning the 2021 IRONMAN World Champion title this past May. American’s Sam Long and Ben Kanute will look to put together a strong race and capture their first world championship crown. Denmark’s Miki Taagholt and Magnus Ditlev will be a duo of athletes that could be in serious consideration for the title. Additional global contenders will come from Jackson Laundry (CAN) and Eric Lagerstrom (USA), who enters as a dark horse coming in riding some momentum after an impressive win at IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz, along with many more talented professional male triathletes hitting their stride.

A full list of professional men’s field listed below:

*Subject to change

The 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission will kick off with a 1.2-mile (1.9km) ROKA Swim Course, which takes place in Sand Hollow Reservoir located in Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah. A challenging 56-mile (91.3km) FULGAZ Bike Course follows and will lead athletes through stunning desert landscapes with 3,201 feet (1003 meters) of elevation gain and an unforgettable climb into Snow Canyon State Park and surrounding Washington County. The 13.1-mile (21.2km) HOKA Run Course will take athletes on two loops through the stunning Red Hills Parkway and wind through historic downtown St. George where the finish line is located.