Following the recent marathon success of Alex Yee, Sam Laidlow also looks set to take on a classic city marathon this year. In fact, the former Ironman World Champion is planning to kick off his 2026 season with 42.2 kilometers of running through the streets of Barcelona.
Laidlow endured a difficult year last season, losing several months to health issues that at one point limited him to less than five minutes of training at a time. Despite those setbacks, the Frenchman mounted an impressive comeback. Highlights included a superb victory at Challenge Roth, a strong win at Ironman Leeds, and a fifth-place finish at the Ironman World Championship in Nice.
Looking to build on that momentum, Laidlow believes an early-season marathon could play a key role in his preparation. “I’m thinking about running the Barcelona Marathon,” he explained. “It gives me a clear running goal and maybe some confidence, knowing that I can run fast.”
As for the rest of his season, Laidlow admits plans are still taking shape. One objective, however, remains crystal clear: “It’s always my goal to win the Ironman World Championship in Kona.”
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