Results/Photos

Date: July 25, 2026 Participant: John Taylor #3290 Race: 2026 Spudman Olympic Triathlon Event: Olympic Triathlon Weather: Hot, but otherwise a great day for a triathlon.

A Faster, More Efficient Race with a Strong Bike and a Tough Final Stretch John Taylor closed out the Olympic-distance race in 3:26:36, shaving nearly five minutes off his 2024 finish and jumping from 1330th to 975th overall out of 1,987 finishers. He also moved up in his gender ranking from 930th to 750th, a solid improvement even after aging into the tougher 55-59 division, where he placed 25th. On the bike, Taylor covered the course at an average of roughly 16.6 mph, with his strongest stretch coming mid-ride when his pace dipped below 3:30 per mile a clear sign of building strength as the ride progressed. The run told a different story: after a strong start near an 8:00/mile pace, his splits gradually slowed in the final two miles, dropping into the 1416 minute range. Shoring up run endurance in the closing miles could help him convert his improved bike fitness into an even stronger finish next time.