IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas–Little Elm 2026 Results: Sanders Wins, Hering’s Dramatic Penalty Run-Down
Race Summary
The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Dallas–Little Elm took place on March 15, 2026, on the shores of Lewisville Lake in Little Elm, Texas. A cold front brought strong currents that forced race officials to shorten the professional swim to a 350-metre time-trial format, but the bike and run courses delivered full drama with a packed pro field and a stunning late charge in the women’s race.
Men’s Race: Sanders Dominant from the Gun
Canada’s Lionel Sanders was in a class of his own, posting a blazing 1:11:53 half marathon to finish 2:27 ahead of his nearest rival. Sanders raced with the composed aggression that has defined his career, using the modified swim to simply build early advantage on the bike and then hammer the run. Swiss athlete Andrea Salvisberg claimed third after a strong back-half run performance.
Women’s Race: Hering’s Dramatic Finish
The women’s race delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the early 2026 season. Jackie Hering (USA) had served a two-minute penalty on the bike, leaving Germany’s Anna Buettner firmly in the lead heading into the closing kilometres of the run. But Hering ran herself back into contention with a relentless final 5km surge, overhauling Buettner in the final metres to claim the win by the narrowest of margins.
Key Results
- Men’s Winner: Lionel Sanders (CAN) — 2:27 margin of victory, 1:11:53 run split
- Men’s 2nd: Kanute (USA)
- Men’s 3rd: Andrea Salvisberg (SUI)
- Women’s Winner: Jackie Hering (USA) — overcame two-minute bike penalty
- Women’s 2nd: Anna Buettner (GER) — led until the final metres
Race Conditions and Format
Cold temperatures and strong lake currents forced organisers to adapt the swim for professional athletes to a 350-metre time-trial start, while the age-group swim was cancelled entirely for safety. The decision drew mixed reactions but was widely praised as the right call given conditions. The 90km bike and 21.1km run courses ran as planned along the lake shoreline and through the Little Elm trail network.
What It Means for the 2026 Season
Sanders’ commanding victory serves as an emphatic statement ahead of the IRONMAN Pro Series season. With IRONMAN Texas (full distance) coming on April 18 and multiple big names set to compete in Port Elizabeth and across Europe in the coming months, the 2026 campaign is shaping up to be one of the most competitive on record. Hering’s win, penalty and all, underscores the depth and drama at the sharp end of the women’s professional field.
