Lionel Sanders shifts focus to 2027 following injury recovery

Canadian triathlete Lionel Sanders has announced a long-term reconstruction plan following a period of injury, shifting his primary competitive focus toward the 2027 season.

After finishing fourth at IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California with a time of 3:45:35, Sanders confirmed he will miss the major IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship events for the second consecutive year. This decision is intended to allow for a measured recovery to build tissue resilience and durability, avoiding the risk of further setbacks.

Sanders plans to compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel on September 20. His upcoming training schedule includes a recovery week, a three-week build, and a taper period. He expressed gratitude to his coach, Mikal Iden, as he works toward his goal of returning to championship-level racing in 2027.