Two calm, cool and collected returning champions—Taylor Santos and Ketch Kelton—are battling it out at the top of the 2026 Cinch Timed Event Championship heading into the Ironman’s final round Saturday March 7.
Reigning champ Kelton—hot off a $3,000, 49-second round win in Round 4—trails 2020 Ironman champ Taylor Santos by 26.3 seconds going into the final five head of the Timed Event.
Neither man has taken a 60—the Timed Event’s equivalent of a no-time.
Because we are just girls and not statistical geniuses, we asked ChatGPT to give us some analysis based on the current standings. Here’s our well-trained robot’s analysis of what the Cinch Timed Event Championship’s $100,000 championship race looks like.
Taylor Santos — Leading the Average
Santos controls the race. If he ropes a typical clean round totaling 50–60 seconds, the championship likely stays in his hands.
One 60-second run opens the door for the field.
Ketch Kelton — 26.3 Seconds Back
Kelton is the closest threat. If he ropes a clean round around 48–50 seconds and Santos slips into the 70–90 second range, Kelton can close the gap and take the lead.
A 60 of his own likely takes him out of the race.
Brushton Minton — 42.6 Seconds Back
Minton needs help from the leader. If Santos hits a 60-second run and Minton ropes clean near 50 seconds, he can jump right back into contention.
Coleman Proctor — 82.4 Seconds Back
Proctor needs significant movement in the standings. To gain more than 80 seconds, Santos likely needs two very slow runs or a 60 while Proctor ropes a clean round.
Seth Hall — 85 Seconds Back
Hall’s path is similar to Proctor’s. A clean round keeps him within striking distance if the leaders post one or more 60-second runs.
Zane Kilgus — 101.6 Seconds Back
Kilgus needs a near-perfect round and mistakes from the leaders—likely one 60-second run and another slow time from Santos.
Dylan Hancock — 122.2 Seconds Back
Hancock needs multiple contenders ahead of him to struggle. A clean round around 45–50 seconds is required just to apply pressure.
Tierney, Hass and Thorp — 140+ Seconds Back
For this group, the race opens only if the leaders stack multiple 60-second runs while they rope clean themselves.
Bottom Five
Erich Rogers, JC Flake, Tyler Worley, Blane Cox and Will Lummus remain mathematically alive, but realistically need a dramatic final round with multiple 60-second runs from the leaders.
The Bottom Line
If Santos ropes five clean runs, the title likely stays with him.
If he hits one 60, Kelton becomes the favorite.
If he hits two 60s, the Ironman race could blow wide open.
