IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2026: Marta Sánchez and Antonio Benito face the world elite
El IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2026 It will be held on March 28 in California with one of the strongest starting lists of the season and with two top-level Spanish players: Antonio Benito and Marta Sánchez.
The Californian event is once again presented as one of the most demanding and attractive races on the middle-distance calendar.
Not only because of the route, but also because of the lineup it will bring together this year, with names that place the race at the center of the international spotlight from the end of March.
Furthermore, Oceanside arrives with the memory still fresh of what happened in the last edition, where Lionel Sanders won again in 2025, reinforcing the competitive prestige of an event that each season brings together a large part of the world's elite.
In this context, the presence of two Spanish triathletes in the elite category gives the race added interest for national fans. Oceanside will not be just another race: it will be an opportunity to gauge the level of Benito y Marta Sanchez against some of the biggest names on the circuit.
Antonio Benito, facing a top-level men's field
La official men's list It makes the level of the competition clear. Names like Kristian Blummenfelt, Gustav Iden, Casper Stornes, Sam long, Rudy von berg, Jonas Schomburg o Ben Kanute, in a combination that mixes world champions, middle-distance specialists and men with the real ability to fight for the podium.
In the midst of that scenario appears Antonio Benito, who arrives in Oceanside as one of the Spanish names with the most potential within the universe HOMBRE DE HIERRO.
The man from La Mancha lands in California after establishing himself as an international icon after being proclaimed World long-distance triathlon champion in Pontevedra 2025, a result that further increased his stature within Spanish triathlon.
The triathlete from La Mancha has already shown in recent years that he can perform at a high level in both middle and long distance, and this race offers him a very serious test to see where he stands against several of the best in the world.
His recent evolution had already been reflected in results such as his victory in the IRONMAN Vitoriaconfirming that he can compete ambitiously on top-level stages.
Marta Sánchez will also be in the fight
The women's race is equally impressive. It includes triathletes such as Taylor Knibb, Paula Findlay, Jackie Hering, Solveig Lovseth, Danielle lewis o Grace thek, which guarantees a very demanding race from the first segment.
Among them will also be Marta SanchezAnother of Spain's leading middle- and long-distance runners. Her presence adds even more value to the pre-race festivities from a national perspective, making Oceanside a race with double Spanish representation in a highly competitive environment.
The Spanish woman finished the 2025 season in the 11th position in the ranking with 11.452 points, and his recent history includes important victories and significant results within the circuit.
Among them, his stands out. podium at IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025, in addition to triumphs such as the one achieved in IRONMAN 70.3 Western AustraliaOceanside will be another opportunity to see how it responds to one of the strongest starts of the first part of the year.
A career with prestige, money, and important points.
Beyond the individual names, Oceanside brings together several elements that explain why it is such a popular event on the calendar.
According to official event information, the race will distribute 50.000 dollars in prizes and will grant 2.500 points to the winneras well as remaining one of the most recognizable events on the middle-distance circuit.
The route also helps to explain that prestige. The organization itself defines the race as a season-opening challenge with saltwater swimming, undulating cycling segment through Camp Pendleton and a coastal footrace, a combination that usually rewards the most complete triathletes.
Spain will have two names to watch very closely
With a lineup like that, international interest in Oceanside is guaranteed. But for the Spanish reader, the focus will clearly be on Antonio Benito y Marta Sanchez.
The two will compete in one of the highest-level tests of this early season and will do so against a lineup that will serve to measure their form quite accurately.
Therefore, more than just a preview of the favorites, Oceanside 2026 presents itself as a race of great value for Spanish triathlon. It's not every day that two national representatives coincide in such a prestigious event on the international calendar. And that is precisely one of the great attractions of this race.
