The second stop of the 2026 Ironman Pro Series is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated early-season races on the triathlon calendar. On March 22, the spotlight shifts to the Ironman 70.3 Geelong, where a deep professional field will line up along the shores of Corio Bay in Victoria, Australia.
With more than 60 professional athletes racing for a $50,000 prize purse, valuable series points, and coveted qualifying slots for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice later this year, Geelong promises fast racing and compelling storylines across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
A heavyweight clash in the men’s race
The men’s race is headlined by three of the sport’s most formidable athletes: reigning Ironman 70.3 world champion Jelle Geens, Olympic and Ironman world champion Kristian Blummenfelt, and T100 world champion Hayden Wilde. The trio represents a fascinating mix of strengths that could produce a tactical and unpredictable contest.
Geens arrives in Australia with confidence after a stellar 2025 season that culminated in victory at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. In that race, the Belgian narrowly edged Blummenfelt in one of the closest finishes in recent championship history. As the defending champion in Geelong, he will look to repeat last year’s success while continuing preparations for his upcoming Ironman debut.
Blummenfelt, meanwhile, brings his trademark resilience and versatility. The Norwegian raced just days ago at Ironman New Zealand, where technical issues hampered his performance and resulted in an uncharacteristic sixth-place finish. Despite that setback – and the physical demands of a recent full-distance race – Blummenfelt’s pedigree makes him an automatic contender whenever he steps onto a start line.
Adding another layer of intrigue is Hayden Wilde. Known for his exceptional run speed and aggressive racing style, the New Zealander enjoyed a breakthrough season last year with his dominant performance in the T100 series. If Wilde remains within striking distance off the bike, few athletes in the field will want to face him over the closing half marathon.
Depth behind the favorites
While the spotlight naturally falls on the leading trio, several athletes could disrupt the expected narrative. Frenchman Pierre Le Corre demonstrated strong form with a runner-up finish at Ironman New Zealand, marking an impressive debut over the full distance. His experience across multiple race formats makes him a dangerous competitor in a tactical race.
New Zealand’s Kyle Smith also enters the event with proven middle-distance credentials, while Australian short-course specialist Jake Birtwhistle could leverage his speed to remain competitive if the race stays tightly packed into the final stages.
Matthews leads the women’s field
In the women’s race, Britain’s Kat Matthews enters as the clear favorite following an emphatic victory at Ironman New Zealand, where she set a new course record and immediately moved to the top of the Ironman Pro Series standings. Matthews’ ability to perform across all three disciplines makes her the athlete to beat in Geelong.
Canada’s Tamara Jewett could provide the biggest challenge. Widely regarded as one of the fastest runners in long-course triathlon, Jewett has built a reputation for charging through the field during the run. Her fourth-place finish in Taupō earlier this season confirmed that she is already in strong form.
Another athlete to watch is Australia’s Grace Thek, whose consistency in Geelong is remarkable. The local favorite will make her ninth consecutive appearance at the race and has stood on the podium every year – though she has converted that streak into victory only once, in 2023.
