The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Dallas-Little Elm, held on 15 March 2026, was marked by extreme weather conditions that forced significant changes to the race format. High winds (25–35 mph with gusts over 50 mph) and strong currents led to the cancellation of the age-group swim, while the professional field completed a shortened 350-metre time-trial swim.
Professional Men's Race
Lionel Sanders (CAN) secured a dominant victory in his 2026 season opener. The shortened swim allowed him to stay close to the leaders, and he quickly took control on the bike alongside Germany’s Leonard Arnold. Sanders eventually pulled away on the run to finish more than two minutes clear of the field.
Professional Women's Race
Jackie Herring (USA) claimed a dramatic come-from-behind victory. Despite serving a two-minute drafting penalty on the bike, Hering systematically reduced the gap on the run, overtaking Germany’s Anna Buettner in the final three kilometres.
- FEMALE PRO:
- 1 Jackie Hering USA 3:49:57
- 2 Anna Buettner GER +0:18
- 3 Annamarie Strehlow USA +3:03
- 4 Samantha Skold USA +3:21
- 5 Minttu Hukka FIN +4:33
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- MALE PRO:
- 1 Lionel Sanders CAN 3:17:12
- 2 Ben Kanute USA +2:28
- 3 Andrea Salvisberg SWE +2:33
- 4 Jannik Schaufler GER +2:42
- 5 Sam Appleton AUS +4:16