American rising star credits training partner and mentor Lionel Sanders after MAJOR win at IRONMAN Lake Placid

Trevor Foley produced the best performance of his career to date on Sunday in Upstate New York, as the former Florida Gator took the tape at IRONMAN Lake Placid.

Breaking the course record with a phenomenal 7:55:23 clocking, Foley ran away from Lionel Sanders at the start of the run before reeling in fellow American Matthew Marquardt in the closing kilometres.

After the race, Foley credited his team around him and gave a special mention to Sanders, who he has spent a considerable amount of time training alongside over the last 18 months since embarking on his pro career.

Stars align on special day

Speaking to Mike Reilly at the finish line, Foley revealed that coming into the race he had just been looking to punch his ticket to Kona, and was shocked by how well he performed.

[Credit – Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN]

“This exceeds all expectations, I was hoping to be the fourth Kona guy today and I was blessed enough to be the first guy across the finish line and have the best race of my life, […], all the stars came together.” 

After a phenomenal run leg, where he clocked a 2:36:31 marathon, Foley touched on his NCAA track and field credentials, which have benefitted him enormously since switching to triathlon.

“I ran at the University of Florida for three years under a great programme, and that really helped me from the age of 18-22 and I am really calling upon that now. I like to think I have some good form and run pedigree to call upon when things get hard.” 

Inspired by Lionel Sanders

After quitting the track team with two years left to run, the Floridian revealed that he had been working during the Covid-19 pandemic when he came across a video of Sanders in Kona that inspired him to take a chance on long course triathlon.

Lionel Sanders (L) and Trevor Foley (R) in 2023 [Photo credit: IRONMAN}

“I quit the NCAA team with two years of eligibility left and it was just during COVID-19, I had nothing to do, I was just working a valet job and watching the Talbox Cox and Lionel Sanders YouTube videos in Kona and I just had some weird idea in my head that I could be good.

“I quit the [Florida Track] team, did triathlon for a year and then got to train under arguably one of the best Lionel Sanders for a year in Tucson and now I’m just steam rolling and I’m completely blessed to have a great team around me.” 

With three podiums on the IRONMAN Pro Series under his belt so far this season, Foley cannot be overlooked as a contender to take the title, and will be one to watch as we enter the crux of racing in 2024.