The Slowtwitch Podcast

Nick Chase: Bonking at Roth, Barricading Solar Hill, and Why RTS Exists

Nick Chase has his hands in everything — pro triathlete, founder of the Real Triathlon Squad, host of the Real Triathlon Podcast, blueseventy brand curator. He just got back from Challenge Roth, and this one gets real fast. We talk through the Solar Hill footage everyone's seen — Sam Laidlow bouncing off age-groupers on lap two — and whether Roth needs barricades or better crowd control. Then Nick walks us through his own race unraveling at 30K: hands tingling, lips numb, waking up leaned against a windowsill with strangers shaking him awake, then 45 minutes waiting on an ambulance. We dig into why "100g of carbs an hour" isn't gospel for every athlete, his three years on ENVE and hookless wheels, and how RTS went from a pandemic-era idea to a coaching company, podcast, and 27-athlete pro roster — plus the nonprofit he's quietly building on the side. Our Podcast SponsorsFastTT — Free speed is a myth. Bought speed, properly fit, is not. https://fasttt.bikeCanyon — https://www.canyon.comTrainingPeaks — Where the data goes to become a plan. https://trainingpeaks.comGOODLIFE Nutrition — Performance fuel built with science and common sense. Designed to fuel before, during, and after. www.fuelyourgoodlife.comWove — Race on a saddle that actually fits you. https://shop.slowtwitch.com/brand/wove/

The Norseman Extreme Triathlon

Ever wondered what it takes to direct the Norseman Extreme Triathlon? Here's the behind-the-scenes scoop! Tag someone who dreams of racing in extreme conditions! It's not just about the race — it's about the experience. The Norseman isn't your typical triathlon. It's set against the breathtaking backdrop of Norway's fjords and mountains, and every athlete has a support team to cheer them on. This year, we're filming a new series showcasing three incredible athletes as they prepare for the challenge of a lifetime. Imagine training through snow and ice, but still pushing forward to conquer those epic hills. That's the spirit of Norseman! Our Podcast Sponsors FastTT — Free speed is a myth. Bought speed, properly fit, is not. Canyon TrainingPeaks — Where the data goes to become a plan. GOODLIFE Nutrition — Performance fuel built with science and common sense. Designed to fuel before, during, and after. Wove — Race on a saddle that actually fits you.

The Triathlon Series That Changed the Game: A Look at Multisport Canada and the Barrelman race

In this episode, Kevin Mackinnon sits down with John Salt and Jason Vurma of MultiSport Canada to explore the origins, challenges, and successes of organizing one of Canada's premier triathlon series, including the iconic Barrelman event in Niagara Falls. Discover insights into event logistics, community engagement, and strategies for growing destination races. Our Podcast Sponsors FastTT — Free speed is a myth. Bought speed, properly fit, is not. fasttt.bike.com Canyon — canyon.com TrainingPeaks — Where the data goes to become a plan. trainingpeaks.com GOODLIFE Nutrition — Performance fuel built with science and common sense. Designed to fuel before, during, and after. www.fuelyourgoodlife.com Wove — Race on a saddle that actually fits you. Shop Now

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Inside the Lanzarote Ironman: Challenges and Records

This episode features Kevin Mackinnon and Ben Snyder McGrath discussing recent triathlon races, athlete performances, course records, and upcoming events. They analyze the significance of Lanzarote, Kona, and other key races, providing insights into athlete strategies and race conditions. Our Podcast Sponsors FastTT — Free speed is a myth. Bought speed, properly fit, is not. fasttt.com Canyon — canyon.com TrainingPeaks — Where the data goes to become a plan. trainingpeaks.com GOODLIFE Nutrition — Performance fuel built with science and common sense. Designed to fuel before, during, and after. www.fuelyourgoodlife.com Wove — Race on a saddle that actually fits you. Shop Now Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context 01:52 Ironman Lanzarote Overview 06:14 Race Dynamics and Historical Significance 08:29 Lucy Charles Barkley's Performance 11:27 Transition Challenges and Athlete Experiences 16:32 Kona Slots and Race Outcomes 19:21 Comparative Race Times and Records 23:53 Future of Ironman Lanzarote 25:24 T1 Hundred Spain Highlights 32:28 Conclusion and Future Races 37:14 Racing Highlights from Slovakia 41:11 Super Try Austin: A New Format 46:11 Cassandra Beaugrand's Record-Breaking Performance 50:30 Upcoming Races and Predictions 01:03:04 Iron Man Hamburg: A Competitive Showdown

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The Journey of Tyler Mislawchuk: From Hockey to Triathlon

In this episode of The Slowtwitch Podcast, host Kevin Mackinnon interviews triathlete Tyler Mislawchuk, a three-time Olympian. They discuss Tyler's journey from hockey to triathlon, his competitive spirit, the role of coaches, and his experiences at the Olympics. Tyler reflects on the impact of COVID on his Olympic journey, his transition to middle-distance racing, and the challenges of making a living as a professional triathlete. He shares insights into his training regimen, key workouts, and future aspirations as he considers competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition Wove

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Sea Otter, Texas, and the Races That Matter Next

Eric’s back after rebuilding Slowtwitch’s classifieds and directories, a family vacation, and a full week on the ground at Sea Otter Classic. The crew breaks down what’s happening in the bike industry — Stages is back under Giant’s ownership, Mavic is rebuilding from zero after losing every dealer record in bankruptcy, and direct-from-factory brands showed up with bikes at price points that’ll shake things up. Then Kevin reports from IRONMAN Texas: Blummenfelt dominates but pukes his guts out doing it, Van Riel pushes him to the edge, Brock O’well comes out of nowhere with a 7:29 (Ben called it), and the Kat Matthews flat tire sparks a heated debate about carrying tubes vs. relying on tech support. On the women’s side — Solvay Løvseth cements herself as the real deal, Taylor Nib nails her sub-three marathon goal, and the crew pushes back on the idea that women and men further back should quit early based on pro series points. Plus: T100 Singapore preview with Hayden Wilde vs. Matt Hauser, WTCS Yokohama without Yee or Hauser, and why 20 meters of drafting distance still isn’t solving anything. This episode is brought to you by TrainingPeaks. One Platform. One Price. TrainingPeaks is the complete training ecosystem for professional coaches and motivated athletes. Access comprehensive data analysis, integrated strength, and TrainingPeaks Virtual (included with Premium) to track every watt with precision. As the trusted operating system for the world’s elite coaches, our platform provides the ultimate athlete-coach connection. Start your season by finding an expert coach or a data-driven training plan on the platform built for progress. Go to trainingpeaks.com to start your journey today. Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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Lisa Perterer

On this week’s episode Olympic triathlete Lisa Perterer shares her journey from junior champion to Olympic athlete and her transition into long-distance racing. She discusses training strategies, race experiences, and her goals for Kona 2026. Proudly supported by our podcast partners: FastTT Canyon TrainingPeaks GOODLIFE Nutrition Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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Bartosz Kasprzyk is the most interesting cycling man in Poland.

Bartosz Kasprzyk is not just a cycling enthusiast; he’s a sales manager at Atlas Copco and the director of the Predator Gravel Series. With a YouTube channel that boasts nearly 25,000 followers and 8 million views, he shares valuable bike-related advice. His dedication to the cycling community is evident in his approach to organizing races that prioritize fairness and safety. Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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How to Organize a 6,200-Foot Mountain Race: Inside Sea to Summit

In this weeks episode, we chat with Andy Scherding and Kathleen Walker of New England Endurance about their journey into adventure racing, organizing unique endurance events, and the vibrant community they foster through their races. Discover how they create challenging, community-driven races that attract athletes of all levels and inspire personal transformation. Thank you to our show sponsors. You can find many of these products on our shop or follow links below 

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From Runner to Triathlete: The Inspiring Journey of Morgan Pearson

In the world of triathlon, few stories are as compelling as that of Morgan Pearson. A two-time Olympic medalist and a seven-time All-American runner, Morgan’s journey to becoming a triathlete is filled with determination, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. In this blog post, we will explore the highlights of Morgan’s career, his transition from running to triathlon, and the lessons he has learned along the way. This episode is brought to you by GOODLIFE Nutrition. Save 20% by using slowtwitch before check out. Check out the slowtwitch shop. Where you can save big on show sponsors Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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Building a Bike Empire: The Wheelworks Story

In this episode of the Slowtwitch podcast, hosts Kevin Mackinnon and Ben Snyder McGrath chat with Ash Coppinger and Rob Cummins, owners of Wheelworks, a prominent bike shop in Dublin. The conversation covers their experiences at the Marbella 70.3, their journey into triathlon, the evolution and growth of their business, and their insights on increasing participation in triathlon, especially among women. They also discuss their upcoming race plans and the importance of marketing through personal participation in the sport. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Backgrounds 02:54 Experiences at the 70.3 Worlds in Marbella 06:13 Journey into Triathlon: Rob’s Transformation 08:57 Ash’s Trail Running Career and Philosophy 11:54 How Rob and Ash Met Through Running 15:11 Ironman Experiences: Challenges and Lessons Learned 18:02 The Growth of Wheelworks and Business Insights 28:15 Stocking Up for Success 31:06 The Grand Opening 32:34 Rapid Growth and Learning 35:28 Navigating the COVID Boom 38:33 Expanding the Business 39:02 Marketing Through Passion 47:17 Triathlon Trends and Participation 51:29 Challenges in Triathlon Participation 52:06 Comparing Running and Triathlon 54:21 Future Race Plans Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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The Unlikely Pro: Matthew Marquardt's Journey

In this episode of the Slowtwitch podcast, professional triathlete and medical student Matthew Marquardt shares his unique journey from swimming to triathlon, balancing rigorous medical training with the demands of being a pro athlete. He discusses his training regimen, nutrition strategies, and the challenges he faces, including cramping issues during races. Matthew also highlights his commitment to charity work, particularly in cancer research, and reflects on the evolving dynamics of triathlon, including the impact of drafting rules on race strategy. With a focus on continuous improvement and a passion for both medicine and athletics, Matthew offers insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle while pursuing excellence in sport. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Matthew Marquardt 02:02 Journey into Triathlon 10:06 Balancing Medical School and Professional Sports 16:00 Training Regimen and Time Management 22:01 Nutrition and Diet for Endurance 30:05 Charity Work and Community Engagement 36:28 Experiencing Healthcare Across Borders 37:44 The Balance of Health and Performance in Ironman 42:08 Drafting Rules and Their Impact on Racing 46:30 The Future of Ironman: Community and Competition 55:14 Testing and Feedback on Drafting Simulations 01:04:21 The Long-Term Vision for Triathlon and Personal Growth Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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Our 2025 Recap of the Top Moments. Going into 2026

Summary In this episode of the SlowTwitch podcast, hosts Kevin Mackinnon, Eric Wynn, and Ben Snyder McGrath reflect on the past year in triathlon, discussing the financial landscape of the sport, the impact of the PTO on prize money, and their picks for the Triathletes of the Year. They explore the differences between short course and long course athletes, the growth of endurance sports, and the importance of fostering a welcoming community for newcomers. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on the future of the sport and resolutions for the upcoming year. Goodlife Nutrition Save 20% with code SLOWTWITCH 00:00 Welcome to 2026: Reflections on the Holidays 02:26 Prize Money in Triathlon: A Look Back at 2025 06:45 The Economics of Triathlon: Earnings and Contracts 10:38 Top Earners: Who Makes the Most in Triathlon? 15:09 The Impact of PTO on Prize Money 19:54 Triathletes of the Year: Short Course and Middle Distance 30:56 Long Course Athlete of the Year: Debates and Decisions 32:36 Debating Championship Titles and Performance 35:15 The Prestige of Ironman Pro Series 39:39 Balancing Pro Series and World Championships 40:35 The Need for Consistent Racing 43:32 The Future of Endurance Sports 51:52 Qualifying Systems and Event Prestige 56:43 Spoilers and Media Responsibility 01:01:39 Embracing New Athletes in Endurance Sports Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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How Much Is “Legal Drafting” Worth? Inside IRONMAN’s 12,16, and 20m Study

Alright—today’s episode is about the rule everyone argues about, even when the racing is clean: drafting. Due to the community’s consist outrage IRONMAN has started real-world testing to compare the legal benefit of riding at 12 meters versus, 16 and 20 meters, and they’re doing it with actual pros, at actual race speeds, on the road. The goal is simple to say and hard to do: measure what kind of power savings and CdA (the coefficient of drag (Cd)multiplied by the frontal area (A), representing total aerodynamic drag exist across different gaps, and figure out what that means for fairness, safety, and how races actually unfold when packs form, the wind shifts, and the road narrows. And to get into it, we’re joined by Jimmy Riccitello—head referee, rules lead, and IRONMAN’s Director of Rules and Special Projects. Jimmy breaks down how they’re using Race Ranger to control spacing, and how Marc Graveline is creating the testing. We revealed a real learning curve, and why their second round was redesigned to get cleaner data—pros with Race Ranger experience, a consistent “rabbit” up front, rotating order behind, and multiple runs at each distance. From there, we get into the real fight: why some pros want 20 meters, why others think it creates new problems, and why IRONMAN can’t treat this like a single-variable decision—because once pros and age-groupers mix on multi-loop courses, “simple” gets messy fast. This episode is brought to you by Canyon and the Canyon Speedmax. With multiple World titles. Canyon brings the speed with the highest grades of carbon and the finest components available. Get your Speedmax today at www.canyon.com Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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T100 Wrap up, Qatar ("Kuh-TAR"), and WTC/T100 Partnership

Kevin and Eric continue to figure out (argue) about the proper way to pronounce Qatar. Ben brings some receipts for his thoughts on the T100 Wrap up and we go down the rabbit hole a bit. This episode is brought to you by Canyon and the Canyon Speedmax. With multiple World titles. Canyon brings the speed with the highest grades of carbon and the finest components available. Get your Speedmax today at www.canyon.com Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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The Sr. Vice President & Managing Director North America @IRONMAN Keats McGonigal

Keats McGonigal is someone we interact with quite often at races. We finally got the chance to get our schedules aligned for a sit down. We talk about the operational challenges of putting on IRONMAN events all over North America, and how Keats makes the call for which events he personally goes too. In this episode we dive into some of things that go on behind the scenes to make these events happen. This episode is brought to you by GOODLIFE Nutrition save 20% using code SLOWTWITCH Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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After almost a decade of being passed around. FELT Bicycles has found a better HOME.

After years at the helm under the Pierre Mobility Group. Florian Burguet and Cesar Rojo have purchased 100% of the FELT business. We talk about the their history together and where they are taking the brand as it enters its 35th Anniversary. Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

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Thanksgiving, product reviews and hookless tests.

In this week’s episode we talk about the difference between American and Canadian Thanksgivings. Ben covers some recent watch and headphone reviews. Kevin talks about we noticed and some races that are coming up. Eric talks about hookless and why Slowtwitch talks about it so much. And can we bring back the rear Disc in KONA? This episode is brought to you by Wahoo Fitness and the Wahoo KICKR RUN. KICKR RUN performance treadmill offers the freedom and form of outdoor running at home Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

Men's 70.3 Worlds Recap, The T100 Men's debacle, Ironman's course correction on KONA and Ironman AZ.

We cover a lot of ground this podcast brought to you by Wahoo KICKR RUN. From The Men’s race at Worlds 70.3 to Ironman’s course corrections on KONA qualifying standards. Ben talks about being at Ironman AZ and Kevin and I argue about who is responsible for the T100 Men’s race issues. Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE

2025 70.3 Worlds the ladies fly. What will happen tomorrow?

We follow up on our women’s preview with our women’s follow up and get into what we think will be the men’s day.. Partners of The Slowtwitch Podcast: FastTT Canyon GOODLIFE Nutrition WOVE