2026 IRONMAN World Championship Kona Recap: OutPace Coaching's First Podium
This past weekend, OutPace Coaching athletes toed the line at the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, for the eighth year. And this year, for the first time in team history, one of our athletes finished on the podium.
Kona is the race every long-course triathlete dreams about. Just earning a spot on the start line takes years of work. Seeing two of our athletes not only get there, but race the way they did, is impressive and inspiring.
Paige finishes 4th in age group at IM World Championship
Coach Mark and OPC teammate Amanda volunteered all day at the Ironman World Championship. For their afternoon/evening shift, they were at the finish line. They got to be one of the first to congratulate Paige on her big accomplishment!
Paige Schulz Places 4th in Her Age Group at Kona
Paige Schulz raced in the women's 35–39 age group in her first ever IRONMAN World Championship, and she raced it like a veteran.
She came out of the water 35th in her age group. From there, she went to work. Paige rode the 4th fastest bike split in her age group, then ran the 3rd fastest run split, moving all the way up to finish 4th in her age group at the World Championship.
What makes this even more meaningful is where it started. A few years ago, Paige reached out to Coach Anthony because she wanted to get stronger on the bike. Fast forward to Kona, and the bike was one of the biggest weapons in her race. That's what consistent, patient work looks like.
The journey to Kona: Last year Paige joined us at Ironman Chattanooga for our team race, where she qualified for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. She said something that we all feel when we have teammates out there on course: “I realized my favorite part of the weekend was this: Seconds before I jumped in, I turned around and looked at all the OutPace Coaching athletes starting with me, and I just felt so happy and calm.” “Having a deep field of support on course was amazing.”
At Kona, Coach Anthony was on course during race day: Palani hill for several times on the bike, Ali’i drive for several times on the run, and then all the way out at the Energy Lab where athletes often have minimal spectator support. “I felt such a sense of calm when we got the “surprise, we are here!” text last night. Coach made it. Now I can go have the race of my life.” And that, she did!!
Thad Ingersoll Finishes Top 5% at His First IRONMAN World Championship
Thad Ingersoll also made his IRONMAN World Championship debut, racing in the men's 55–59 age group. Against one of the deepest fields in the sport, Thad finished in the top 5% of his age group. He was one of the top swimmers in his field, out of 250+ men.
A first Kona is about so much more than a finish time. There's the heat, the wind, the lava fields, and the weight of finally being there. Thad handled all of it and delivered a race to be proud of. Congratulations, Thad! His wife, kids, grandbaby, friends, and Coach Anthony were all there to support him.
Thad finishes top 5% of his age group at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii
Thad’s age group men’s 55-59 was one of the largest fields of the entire race. He swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles, and ran 26.2 miles to the finish line of his first IM world championship, landing in the top 5% of his age group.
Race Day in Kona: Palani Hill, Ali'i Drive, and the Energy Lab
A few days before the race, Coach Anthony flew to Kona and surprised Paige and Thad in person. He let them know he'd be out on course all day on race day, cheering them on every step of the way. They met up for breakfast a couple of days pre-race to talk about race day, and how they had been enjoying the race week energy and time with their families on the island.
And he was. Being out there all day in person was something special. We saw them climbing Palani Hill. We saw them on Ali'i Drive with the crowds roaring. And we saw them deep in the Energy Lab, the hottest, loneliest stretch of the course, where very few spectators make the trip. Those are the moments when a familiar face matters most.
Coach Mark, Coach Deana, and teammate Amanda were in Kona too. Coach Mark, Amanda, and friends also spent race day volunteering. Thank you! Races like this don't happen without the volunteers who keep athletes fueled, safe, and moving forward.
What's Next: Team Race at IRONMAN Florida
Eight years at the World Championship, and our first podium. We couldn't be prouder of Paige and Thad, and of every athlete on this team putting in the work, day after day.
Next up, we're excited to head to IRONMAN Florida next year for our destination team race. Whether it's your first full distance or your next step toward Kona, we'd love to have you racing with us. Team races are always a highlight!
Want to train with OutPace Coaching? Get in touch and let's talk about your goals.
Team breakfast with Paige, Thad, and Coaches Anthony and Deana