Trevor Foley‘s late decision to race IRONMAN New Zealand paid off in style as he ran to an impressive victory in Taupō.
The American surged past longtime leader and home favourite Kyle Smith midway through the run and then held off full-distance debutant Pierre Le Corre (FRA) and veteran Matt Hanson (USA) for a famous win.
The 42nd edition of the race – only the World Championships in Hawaii has more history – was the opening event of the IRONMAN Pro Series and reigning champion Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) had been the big favourite but a mechanical on the bike and nutrition issues on the run scuppered his chances.
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There were four Kona slots available and here’s how it all played out…
Swim – Le Corre sets pace
There was a little bit of chop for the lake swim and it was Le Corre – fourth at the Paris Olympics in 2024 – who led early on but Taupō native Smith then joined him and would be at the front of the race for the next few hours.
Kiwi duo Robert Huisman and Sam Osborne were right there too getting out of the water as were David Martin (CZE) and Henrik Goesch (FIN).
There was then a gap of 1:35 to Fred Funk (GER), with Blummenfelt just inside the top 10 a few seconds further back, while uber runner Hanson wasn’t far back either at +1:46. Foley at this point was +3:56.
Bike – Aero woe for Blu
This was the first IRONMAN race with a 20-metre draft zone on the bike and it was Smith who rode away from his rivals.
Blummenfelt was flying through the field until an issue with his aero extension bar stopped his progress.
Smith meanwhile remained in control and Funk was now emerging as his closest challenger as he underlined his bike prowess in what was his third full-distance race.
Moving into T2 and it was Smith first, Funk second at +3:39 and Blu third at 5:51 despite those mechanical issues.
Run – All change in marathon
Blummenfelt’s position on the bike had been compromised by those problems and he soon had another complication to deal with as he threw up early on the run and it soon became obvious that this was going to be a rare IRONMAN where he wouldn’t contend.
And another man soon struggling was Funk who started to drop down the field having started the run in second and he would later DNF.
Smith at this point was delighting his home fans at the front of the race but, not long after the halfway point of the marathon, the first distress signals started to go out as he began struggling with what looked like cramp in his right hamstring.
From having a lead of over four minutes it was soon down to just over a minute from Foley with 15km to go – and the inevitable catch came not long after.
But Foley still had work to do as Hanson and Le Corre were both going well just behind and that duo would soon overhaul Smith. Le Corre actually moved to within a minute of Foley but the 26-year-old US star responded well and didn’t look under threat after that.
He crossed the line in 7:46:44 after a 2:35 marathon, with Le Corre second, Hanson third and Jack Moody (NZL) taking the final Kona spot in fourth.
It was Foley’s second IRONMAN win following Lake Placid in 2024 and underlined just what a force he is at this distance.
Kudos to 2025 champion Mike Phillips (NZL) for staying on well for fifth and Blummenfelt too, who took sixth despite his challenges.
IRONMAN New Zealand men’s results
Saturday March 7, 2026 – Taupō
| Position | Athlete | Swim | Bike | Run | Overall time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trevor Foley (USA) | 00:52:06 | 04:14:15 | 02:35:42 | 07:46:43 |
| 2 | Pierre Le Corre (FRA) | 00:48:10 | 04:18:27 | 02:36:18 | 07:48:25 |
| 3 | Matt Hanson (USA) | 00:49:56 | 04:20:42 | 02:34:49 | 07:50:38 |
| 4 | Jack Moody (NZL) | 00:49:57 | 04:18:10 | 02:37:39 | 07:51:02 |
| 5 | Mike Phillips (NZL) | 00:49:54 | 04:16:01 | 02:46:54 | 07:58:08 |
| 6 | Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) | 00:49:47 | 04:16:07 | 02:49:40 | 08:01:01 |
| 7 | Yvan Jarrige (FRA) | 00:49:57 | 04:28:30 | 02:43:06 | 08:07:46 |
| 8 | Sam Osborne (NZL) | 00:48:16 | 04:24:52 | 02:50:24 | 08:09:30 |
| 9 | Matt Kerr (NZL) | 00:52:25 | 04:20:15 | 02:51:27 | 08:10:40 |
| 10 | Jack Sosinski (AUS) | 00:49:51 | 04:27:12 | 02:48:26 | 08:11:28 |
