A year after cramping during the Lake Placid marathon, Matthew Marquardt returned with unfinished business. He left not only as course record holder and race champion but also as the new leader of the Ironman Pro Series standings, leaping to 1st ahead of Kristian Blummenfelt.
Here’s how the action unfolded on a rainy day in Lake Placid as the men battled for the podium, Pro Series points, and coveted World Championship slots.
Swim: A fast front pack and a chase from behind
The men’s race kicked off with a brisk pace in Mirror Lake, with Thomas Gordon (USA) leading the field out of the water in 48:51. He was closely followed by a small chase pack that included Jason West (49:22), while Matthew Marquardt exited in sixth, just 57 seconds back with a swim split of 49:48.
Further back, defending champion Trevor Foley exited in 55:09, more than six minutes down in 24th. While the deficit might have been a concern for others, it was business as usual for Foley. Known for his ability to light up the bike course, he’s accustomed to playing catch-up. Still, with a deep and motivated field ahead of him, he had work to do if he wanted to repeat his 2024 victory.
Bike: Foley charges, Marquardt holds steady
Foley wasted no time erasing his swim deficit. As soon as he hit the bike course, he surged through the field with trademark aggression, attacking the long climbs and descents with confidence. By the halfway mark, he had ridden into the lead and continued to push the pace solo off the front. His 4:10:45 bike split obliterated the previous course record, set by Marquardt in 2024, by over six minutes.
Meanwhile, Marquardt rode with control and purpose. He clocked a 4:12:28, the second-fastest split of the day, and also faster than his own course-best from the previous year. Where Foley was aggressive, Marquardt was composed, saving energy for what would prove to be the deciding discipline.
Danish veteran Kristian Hogenhaug executed a calculated ride, never flashy but always within striking distance. Remarkably, this was his third major race in just 22 days – following a runner-up finish in Frankfurt and a top-five in Swansea – yet he showed no signs of fatigue.
By the time the men hit T2, Foley was leading. But with strong runners in close pursuit, it was clear the race was not yet over.
Run: Marquardt’s redemption, Foley’s grit, and West’s blazing debut
As the rain continued to fall on the challenging marathon course, the race entered its final and most grueling phase. Defending champion Trevor Foley charged out of T2 in the lead, holding a strong pace through the early miles. However, the aggressive effort he’d put into his record-breaking bike leg appeared to take its toll. By around mile 17.8, signs of fatigue began to set in.
That’s when Marquardt made his decisive move. After a patient and steady start, he surged past Foley and took command of the race. Marquardt ran a controlled yet powerful marathon, finishing in 2:39:51 – a strong rebound from his cramping struggles on the same course last year. His relentless drive carried him to a dominant victory and a new overall course record of 7:50:08, cutting more than five minutes off the previous course record.
Hogenhaug capitalized on Foley’s fading pace, moving into second with a steady, strategic run that earned him a well-deserved spot on the podium.
Meanwhile, Ironman debutant Jason West showcased why he’s considered one of triathlon’s fastest runners. After a measured bike split, West unleashed the fastest marathon of the day at 2:37:18, surging through the field to claim a top-five finish and secure his qualifying slot for the Ironman World Championship in Nice.
Despite losing the lead in the final miles, Foley’s grit and determination never faltered. He fought hard to hold third, his tenacity inspiring as he locked in valuable Pro Series points and a ticket to Nice.
The next stop in the Ironman Pro Series is Ironman 70.3 Zell am See-Kaprun in Austria, set for August 31.
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