French Triathlete Sam Laidlow Confirms Start at Challenge Samarkand

World‑record holder Sam Laidlow, the 27‑year‑old French triathlete who set a 7:21:04 long‑distance record at Challenge Roth, has confirmed his participation in the Challenge Samarkand on 13 September 2026. The middle‑distance event in Uzbekistan, featuring a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21.1 km run, will serve as his final competitive preparation before the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Laidlow chose the flat, high‑speed course in historic Samarkand over the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, citing the conditions and setting as ideal for his last “hit‑out” before the world title race.

The Challenge Samarkand weekend will also include sprint, relay, women's and children’s races, turning the UNESCO World Heritage city into a multi‑sport celebration for athletes and families.