Bend Triathlete Wins First Full IRONMAN at Lake Placid

Paula Findlay just proved that sometimes the biggest victories come when you push beyond what you've done before.

The Bend, Oregon resident won IRONMAN Lake Placid on Sunday with a time of 8:47:43, conquering one of North America's most challenging courses in her very first full distance IRONMAN triathlon. The race demanded a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon.

Findlay brought impressive credentials to the starting line. She's a Canadian Olympic athlete with multiple 70.3 victories and podium finishes, but the full 140.6-mile distance remained uncharted territory.

The gamble paid off spectacularly. Findlay didn't just finish or even place well. She dominated, setting a new bike course record of 4:50:26 that will stand as a benchmark for future competitors.

Her commanding performance earned her an automatic qualification for the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, scheduled for October 10. Spain's Marta Sanchez finished second, with American Rachel Zilinskas rounding out the podium in third place.

Why This Inspires

What makes Findlay's victory special isn't just the hardware or records. It's watching an elite athlete choose to step outside her comfort zone at the peak of her career. She could have stuck with the 70.3 distance where she'd already proven herself, but instead she doubled down on a new challenge.

Lake Placid isn't known as a beginner-friendly course. The mountainous terrain and unpredictable Adirondack weather make it a proving ground that humbles even experienced full-distance athletes. Findlay turned it into her personal breakthrough moment.

Her journey from Olympic hopeful to 70.3 champion to full distance winner shows what's possible when experience meets courage. Now Bend has another reason to celebrate as one of their own heads to the world stage in Hawaii this October.

Sometimes the scariest step is the one that changes everything.