In a dramatic adaption to nature’s challenges, IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga delivered exceptional racing despite the last-minute cancellation of the swim portion due to dangerous river conditions. American athletes Sam Long and Grace Alexander conquered the modified course to claim impressive victories in the men’s and women’s professional races respectively, highlighting a day of domestic dominance with all-American podiums in both divisions.
IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga 2025 Swim Cancellation Forces Format Change
Race organizers announced on Friday that the 1.2-mile swim leg would be cancelled due to the Tennessee River flowing at rates exceeding safety thresholds. This pivotal decision transformed the traditional triathlon into a duathlon format, with competitors beginning in a time-trial start for the 56-mile bike course before transitioning to the 13.1-mile run.
The modified format presented unique tactical challenges for athletes accustomed to establishing position in the water, instead requiring them to manage their efforts independently without visual feedback on competitors’ positions throughout much of the bike leg.
Men’s Race: Long Powers to Victory with Dominant Run
Sam Long, coming off a second-place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 St. George just one week prior, showcased his remarkable consistency and resilience. The American powerhouse delivered a masterclass in bike-run performance, posting one of the day’s fastest bike splits (1:56:50) before sealing the victory with a commanding 1:10:21 half marathon.
“This is really special,” said Long after crossing the finish line. “After coming so close last weekend, to bounce back and take the win here in Chattanooga feels incredible. I had to adjust my race strategy completely with the swim cancellation, but I stayed focused on my power numbers on the bike and found my rhythm early on the run.”
Long’s winning time of 3:08:08 gave him a comfortable margin of nearly four minutes over his closest competitor, continuing his strong form from his IRONMAN Chattanooga full-distance win last September.
Fellow Americans Matt McElroy and Jason West rounded out the podium, completing an all-USA top three. McElroy and West delivered the day’s most blistering run splits (1:08:34 and 1:08:14 respectively), allowing them to overcome time deficits from the bike portion and secure their podium positions.
IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga 2025 Results: Men’s Top 5 Results:
- Sam Long (USA) – 3:08:08 (Bike: 1:56:50 / Run: 1:10:21)
- Matt McElroy (USA) – 3:11:57 (Bike: 2:02:28 / Run: 1:08:34)
- Jason West (USA) – 3:12:48 (Bike: 2:03:35 / Run: 1:08:14)
- Sam Appleton (AUS) – 3:13:15 (Bike: 1:59:40 / Run: 1:12:39)
- Ari Klau (USA) – 3:13:54 (Bike: 1:59:56 / Run: 1:12:56)
Women’s Race: Alexander Returns to Winner’s Circle
In the women’s competition, Grace Alexander claimed her first victory since May 2023, demonstrating superior strength across both disciplines. Alexander established herself early with the fastest bike split (2:16:51), though her advantage was narrow heading into transition, with Adele Likin just 24 seconds behind.
The decisive moment came during the run, where Alexander steadily extended her lead throughout the half marathon. By the midway point, she had built a two-minute buffer over her pursuers, ultimately crossing the finish line in 3:46:46, more than three minutes ahead of second-place Jess Smith.
“I came into this race focused and determined,” Alexander shared post-race. “When we learned about the swim cancellation, I knew I needed to be aggressive on the bike without burning too many matches. The strategy paid off, and I felt strong throughout the run. It’s been a long journey back to the top step, and this victory means everything to me.”
The women’s podium, like the men’s, featured an all-American sweep with Jess Smith and Carolyn Olsen securing second and third places respectively. Olsen posted the fastest women’s run split (1:28:43), nearly identical to Alexander’s, but couldn’t overcome the time gap from the bike segment.
IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga 2025 Results: Women’s Top 5 Results:
- Grace Alexander (USA) – 3:46:46 (Bike: 2:16:51 / Run: 1:28:46)
- Jess Smith (USA) – 3:49:48 (Bike: 2:18:04 / Run: 1:30:23)
- Carolyn Olsen (USA) – 3:50:46 (Bike: 2:20:45 / Run: 1:28:43)
- Adele Likin (USA) – 3:51:14 (Bike: 2:17:15 / Run: 1:32:41)
- Caroline Kaplan (USA) – 3:52:11 (Bike: 2:20:44 / Run: 1:30:10)
American Dominance at Chattanooga
The event marked a stellar day for American long-course triathletes, with USA athletes claiming all six podium positions across the professional races. This dominant performance showcases the depth and strength of American talent in the middle-distance triathlon scene heading into the heart of the 2025 season.
Course and Conditions
The bike course featured Chattanooga’s signature challenging terrain, including the notorious Lookout Mountain climb, which tested athletes’ power and pacing strategies. The run route took competitors through downtown Chattanooga and along the riverfront, offering scenic views but little respite from the rolling topography.
While the swim cancellation altered the traditional race format, the event still delivered approximately 70.3 miles of racing with the combined bike and run distances. Race organizers were widely praised for their swift decision-making and implementation of the time-trial start format, which ensured athlete safety while preserving competitive integrity.
What’s Next in IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga
For Long, this victory continues his impressive trajectory in 2025, potentially setting him up as a favorite for upcoming championship events later in the season. Alexander’s return to winning form signals her reemergence as a contender in the women’s field after a period away from the top step.
Many of the professional athletes from Chattanooga will next focus on the PTO US Open in Dallas next month, where the competitive field is expected to include several Olympic-distance specialists transitioning to longer formats following the conclusion of the 2024 Olympic cycle.
IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, continuing to establish itself as one of the premier middle-distance events on the North American circuit despite the unexpected challenges posed by the river conditions.
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