ADKS to host 2026 IRONMAN Lake Placid July 19

LAKE PLACID | The Athletic Brewing IRONMAN® Lake Placid returns to the historic Olympic village of Lake Placid this weekend, welcoming professional and age-group athletes from around the world to one of the most iconic events in triathlon. As part of the 2026 Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series, the race continues its legacy as a premier stop on the global IRONMAN circuit, celebrated for its rich Olympic history, spectacular Adirondack scenery, and world-class course. Athletes will take on the legendary 140.6-mile (226 km) challenge, beginning with a two-loop, 2.4-mile swim in the pristine waters of Mirror Lake, widely regarded as one of the best IRONMAN swims in the world. The race then heads into the Adirondack Mountains for a demanding 112-mile bike course featuring epic climbs and sweeping descents on the award-winning route voted Best Bike Course Globally in the 2023 Athlete Choice Awards. The day concludes with a 26.2-mile run through the heart of Lake Placid before athletes make their way to the iconic Olympic Oval finish line, capping off an unforgettable test of endurance in one of the sport's most storied destinations. WHAT TO KNOW The Field (By the Numbers): Total athletes: Over 2,600 Countries represented: 68 U.S. States represented: 49 Field Highlights Youngest athletes: Male: Jonathan Espindola, 18, Nanuet, N.Y. Female: Ellen Hock, 18, Tiburon, Calif. Oldest athletes: Male: Jim Adams, 79, Altona, N.Y. Female: Donna Ward, 70, Washington, D.C. Age range: 18-79 IRONMAN Pro Series The Experience Oman IRONMAN® Pro Series, now in its third year, will see professional triathletes vie for the title of IRONMAN Pro Series Champion and a share of the lucrative $1.7 million USD year-end bonus prize pool. In 2026, the IRONMAN Pro Series will be contested over 16 events around the globe, including a combination of six IRONMAN and eight IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlons, as well as the IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlons. The race will be broadcast live, free for all international audiences across IRONMAN YouTube, ironman.com/proseries, and DAZN, with additional regional live broadcast and highlight shows also available, including L'Équipe Live in France, ESPN (within Disney+), SuperSport, hr-Fernsehen, NRD, RTVE, iQIYI, and Outside TV. Broadcast and streaming information can be found at www.ironman.com. HUMAN INTEREST & ATHLETE STORIES Every athlete who competes in an IRONMAN competition brings a powerful personal story to the start line, and the 2026 Athletic Brewing IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon is no exception. The event will feature athletes overcoming extraordinary adversity, pursuing lifelong dreams, and racing in honor of the people and moments that shaped their lives, including: Matthew Almond (Huntington, N.Y.) – Nearly drowned in a rip current as a child and spent years overcoming a fear of the water. Now he will take on his greatest challenge yet at IRONMAN Lake Placid, transforming past trauma into purpose. Sarah Barrett (Milford, Conn.) – Told as a teenager that pregnancy would limit her future, Barrett went on to earn degrees from NYU and Columbia, become the first mother to join the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, and now pursues her dream of becoming an IRONMAN finisher. Robert Bennett (Liverpool, N.Y.) – After battling obesity and alcoholism and weighing nearly 400 pounds, Bennett lost more than 200 pounds and rediscovered purpose through endurance sport. He will race IRONMAN Lake Placid alongside the son who inspired his transformation. Laura Kern (La Cañada Flintridge, Calif.) – Survived a ruptured brain aneurysm that nearly took her life and has since returned to work, family, and endurance sport. Lake Placid represents both a celebration of resilience and a renewed appreciation for every day. Please find a full list of compelling athlete stories in Human Interest Stories. THE IRONMAN FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GIVEBACK This year, the IRONMAN Foundation is distributing over $69,000 in charitable giveback to local organizations within the Lake Placid region, bringing the total historical giveback to over $2 million. To learn more about the IRONMAN Foundation and donate, visit ironmanfoundation.org.

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ADKS to host 2026 IRONMAN Lake Placid July 19

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