We Noticed: Weather Forces IM 70.3 Jones Beach Postponement, T50 and Challenger Series Schedules Announced and More

The massive coastal storm swirling up the eastern seaboard of the United States has wreaked havoc on the racing calendars in the area, and IRONMAN is no different. The wording is careful not to use the word “cancelled,” but the bottom line is that IRONMAN 70.3 Jones Beach won’t be happening this weekend.

“In consultation with local authorities, emergency management officials, and public safety agencies, IRONMAN has made the difficult decision not to proceed with the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 New York triathlon in Jones Beach this Saturday, September 26 due to a coastal storm impacting the region,” IRONMAN wrote in a release. “We will explore options for potentially rescheduling this event. We recognize the significant commitment athletes have made in preparing for race day, but the anticipated conditions present risks that cannot be mitigated to the standards required to safely operate the event. Registered athletes will receive a separate communication outlining their options, including details regarding the possibility of a rescheduled event and other available registration alternatives, as those details become available.”

Reports of a nor’easter bringing rain, strong winds and coastal flooding to the area began on Thursday morning. New York State officials announced that a decision on the race would be made on Saturday morning, but the call came 24 hours earlier. Nearly 4,000 athletes were expected to race, including 65 pro men who were racing for a share of the $20,000 prize purse.

It seems a stretch to reschedule the race this late in the season – we’ll update this story as more details are announced.

Economic Impacts of the UCI World Championships in Montreal

In 1974 Montreal hosted the first UCI World Championships outside of Europe and now, 52 years later, the city is once again hosting the event. The event features more than 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries. Roughly 500,000 spectators are expected throughout the event and Montreal’s tourism bureau estimates the economic impact for the city at roughly C$155 million.

All that money doesn’t come without some disruption, though. Road closures in Montreal began on September 5 and will run through October 4, while access to many public transit routes have also been affected. Accessibility advocates say that the various closures could create “very complicated” barriers for people with disabilities. Reactions from businesses are mixed – some are worried about the closures and restrictions, while others are looking forward to the huge increase in foot traffic thanks to the event. Hotels are certainly doing well thanks to the huge influx of fans and athletes.

Montrealers we’ve contacted say that drivers are frustrated, but fans are loving the event. We’ll have a more detailed recap on Monday.

Triathlon World Tour Announces 31 More Races for 2027

World Triathlon president Antonia Arimany and PTO CEO Sam Renouf presented more details on next year’s Triathlon World Tour at the World Triathlon Congress taking place in Pontevedra this week. The initial 15 T50 Cup and 15 T100 Challenger races were announced, along with an addition to the T50 World Championship Tour schedule previously announced – Quiberon return on June 19 and 20. The French Riviera T100 World Championship race date was also confirmed – May 15.

The new T100 Challenger races will be contested over the 100 km format (2 km swim/ 80 km bike/ 18 km run), which will be a change for many (if not all) of the races that were previously half-distance events.

The initial T50 Cup races for 2027 include:

• 6-7 March – Lanzarote Triathlon (ESP) 
• 20-21 March – Sanya Triathlon (CHN)
• 10-11 April – Tarragona Triathlon (ESP)
• 1-2 May – Melilla Triathlon (ESP) 
• 8-9 May – Beijing Triathlon (CHN) 
• 12-13 June – Huatulco Triathlon (MEX) 
• 3-4 July – Tiszaújváros Triathlon (HUN) 
• 24-25 July – Munich Triathlon (GER) 
• 14-15 August – Rio de Janeiro Triathlon (BRA) 
• 28-29 August – Karlovy Vary Triathlon (CZE) 
• 16-17 October – Chengdu Triathlon (CHN)   
• 23-24 October – Tongyeong Triathlon (KOR) 
• 23-24 October – Iquique Triathlon (CHI)
• 30-31 October – San Pedro de la Paz Triathlon (CHI)
• 30-31 October – Hong Kong Triathlon (HKG) 

The initial T100 Challenger races for 2027 (15): 

• 19-20 February – Wanaka Triathlon (NZL) 
• 17-18 April – Gran Canaria Triathlon (ESP) 
• 24-25 April – Florianópolis Triathlon (BRA) 
• 8-9 May – Salou Triathlon (ESP) 
• 15-16 May – Cesenatico Triathlon (ITA) 
• 22-23 May – Šamorín Triathlon* (SVK) 
• 29-30 May – Korea Triathlon (KOR) 
• 19-20 June – Gdańsk Triathlon (POL) 
• 26-27 June – Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee Triathlon (AUT)
• 21-22 August – Samarkand Triathlon (UZB) 
• 28-29 August – Fortaleza Triathlon (BRA) 
• 9-10 October – Vieux-Boucau Triathlon (FRA)
• 16-17 October – Peguera-Mallorca Triathlon (ESP) 
• 23-24 October – Forte Village Triathlon (ITA) 
• 6-7 November – Xiamen Triathlon (CHN) 

According to today’s release, “several more” races will be added to the 2027 calendar before the end of the year.

Rapha Hints at Staff Cuts After 9 Years of Losses

On Wednesday Rapha CEO Fran Millar announced her resignation, and the company has since released a statement announcing “business updates” that include potential staff cuts.

“While there are encouraging green shoots, we believe significant changes are essential to establish a stronger, more sustainable path forward,” the company wrote in a statment. “This involves a proposed organisational restructure and a formal consultation process with affected team members will now take place. We believe these proposed changes are necessary but recognise the personal impact on affected colleagues, and we do not take these decisions lightly.” 

Two grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton – Steuart and Tom Walton – bought a majority share in Rapha in 2017.

“My brother and I have been majority owners of Rapha for nine years,” Steuart Walton wrote in the statement. “We love the brand, the product, and what Rapha stands for, and we are deeply grateful to the people who have made the company so special. Our belief in Rapha has not changed. We remain committed to the power of cycling to make the world a better place and Rapha’s unique role in advancing that idea. We are confident in the long-term future of the brand and committed to helping Rapha achieve its ambitions.”

Berlin Marathon Missing Sawe, but Still Features Stacked Field

In late August it was announced that defending champion and world record holder Sabastian Sawe had withdrawn from Sunday’s Berlin Marathon due to injury. Sawe broke the two-hour barrier at the London Marathon earlier this year, going 1:59:30 to set a new world record time. In his absence former champion Guye Adola (ETH) becomes the pre-race favourite, and will take on Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay. The pair will face a number of sub 2:05 racers. Forty-four-year-old Legend Kenenisa Bekele, who went 2:01:41 to win Berlin in 2019, returns to the event, too.

Tigst Assefa, who ran 2:11:53 in Berlin in 2023 to set the world record at the time (since broken by Kenyan runner Ruth Chepng’etich with her 2:09:56 set in Chicago in 2024), is back to try and break the world record and will face European champion Alisa Vainio.

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