Alex Yee challenged to step as much as T100 triathlon distance after searing Valencia Marathon
The Olympic champion became the second-fastest Brit of all-time over 26.2 miles with a stunning time of two hours six minutes and 38 seconds – a feat only bettered by Sir Mo Farah
Hayden Wilde has challenged friend and rival Alex Yee to make the step up to T100 triathlon after the latter’s incredible marathon exploits.
The Olympic champion became the second-fastest Brit of all-time over 26.2 miles with a stunning time of two hours six minutes and 38 seconds – a feat only bettered by Sir Mo Farah.
It has led to speculation around whether Yee will choose to defend his Olympic crown at LA 2028 or switch to the marathon, but Wilde – who Yee dramatically beat to gold in Paris last year – believes a longer-distance triathlon would be a brilliant spectacle between the pair.
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Wilde currently leads the standings of the T100 Triathlon World Tour ahead of its final in Qatar on Friday and the New Zealand athlete hopes Yee could be tempted to take on the 100km distance next year.
“It would be super nice for him to come over and test out a T100 and see how he goes,” he said.
“To now be the second Brit all-time in the marathon is an amazing achievement and the time itself is an amazing achievement, it sets the standard for triathletes in general over all three of the sports and it is really cool for us to see.
We will definitely be battling next year at the World Series, I am looking forward to racing him again.”
Wilde was forced to settle for silver at the Paris Olympics, after Yee produced a stunning comeback on the run leg but has dominated the 2025 T100 Tour, with five wins from six races despite a crash in May that left him with a broken collar bone and broken ribs.
The New Zealander also narrowly avoided lung surgery but was back competing just four months later, as he took victory in London before following it up with wins in France, Spain and Australia.
It means he heads into the final in Qatar with a strong lead ahead over second-placed Jelle Geens, with German pair Mika Noodt and Rico Bogen also amongst the chasing pack.
Wilde’s winning streak came to an end in Dubai following a mix-up that saw him ride an extra bike lap but the 28-year-old is confident he can return to the podium and seal the world title in Qatar.
“It is definitely one of my better seasons with the setbacks and what has come,” he added.
“The doctors said I could potentially get to London but realistically your top form will come in Dubai.
“I shouldn’t really be in this position so I am pretty relaxed into it. I know what I need to do, I am looking forward to getting out there. The form I am in at the moment is probably better than Singapore, so I am looking forward to getting out there.”
