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U.S. Elite John Reed Earns First WTCS Podium in Weihai, 3 U.S. Men in Top 10

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by USA Triathlon

WEIHAI, CHINA — U.S. Elite Triathlete John Reed (Virginia Beach, Va.) delivered a breakthrough performance for Team USA on Friday, Sept. 26, earning the bronze medal at the World Triathlon Championship Series Weihai. The result marks Reed’s first career WTCS podium in his young career and the top U.S. men’s finish of the day. Taylor Spivey (Redondo Beach, Fla.) led the U.S. elite women on Friday in Weihai, placing fourth. 

Reed crossed the line third, completing the Olympic-distance course (1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10k run) in 1 hour, 40 minutes, 35 seconds. In the lead group of athletes coming off the bike, Reed ran his way into medal contention, strongly pulling ahead into a group of three runners who were chasing eventual winner, Max Struder of Switzerland who took the gold in 1:40:03. Germany's Henry Graf finished with the silver.  

Reed's bronze led a banner day for the U.S. men’s program, as teammates Morgan Pearson (New Vernon, N.J.) and Darr Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) finished fifth and 10th, respectively, giving the U.S. three men in the top 10. Smith's top-10 was a major breakthrough for the up-and-comer, his best career WTCS finish.

Fellow U.S. teammate Seth Rider placed 17th. All four U.S. athletes were in the mix with the leaders out of the water and onto the bike, with each athlete taking turns near the front of the lead group. 

For Reed, the bronze medal in China continues a strong 2025 season for the up-and-comer. In August, Reed placed third at Supertri Chicago, and earlier in the season, he earned bronze at the World Triathlon Cup Saidia. 

He and the rest of the U.S. elite team will close out the World Triathlon Championship Series season at the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals Wollongong on Oct. 15-19. 

Spivey led the U.S. women on Friday in Weihai, placing fourth with a time of 1:52:45. She came to China after earning an inspired silver medal at WTCS Karlovy Vary two weeks ago. 

Great Britain's Beth Botter won the gold on Friday in 1:51:58, with Germany's Lisa Tertsch and Tanja Neubert taking silver and bronze, respectively. 

Gina Sereno (Madison, Wis.) also scored a top-10 finish for the U.S. elite women, placing seventh. Erika Ackerlund (Helena, Mont.) placed 14th and Danielle Orie (Buffalo, N.Y.), making her WTCS debut, placed 24th. 

 

2025 WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES WEIHAI

Weihai, China

1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run

Complete Results 

Men

1. Max Studer (SUI), 1:40:03

2. Henry Graf (GER), 1:40:27

3. John Reed (Virginia Beach, Va.), 1:40:35

U.S. Finishers 

5. Morgan Pearson (New Vernon, N.J.), 1:41:05

10. Darr Smith (Atlanta, Ga.), 1:41:28

17. Seth Rider (Germantown, Tenn.), 1:42:17

Women 

1. Beth Botter (GBR), 1:51:58

2. Lisa Tertsch (GER), 1:52:15

3. Tanja Neubert (GER), 1:52:19

U.S. Finishers 

4. Taylor Spivey (Redondo Beach, Calif.), 1:52:45

7. Gina Sereno (Madison, Wis.), 1:53:17

14. Erika Ackerlund (Helena, Mont.). 1:54:38

24. Danielle Orie (Buffalo, N.Y.), 1:58:28

2025 WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE

The World Triathlon Championship Series, which began in 2009, is an annual series of triathlon events where athletes compete head-to-head for points. The rankings are used to determine the best-performing triathletes of the season and, ultimately, the World Champions.

Series schedule:

WTCS Abu Dhabi | Feb. 15-16 | Individual Race Recap | Mixed Relay Recap

WTCS Yokohama | May 17 | Race Recap

WTCS Alghero | May 31| Race Recap

WTCS Hamburg & Mixed Relay World Championships | July 12-13 | Recap

WTCS French Riviera | Aug. 31 | Recap 

WTCS Karlovy Vary | Sept. 14 | Recap

WTCS Weihai | Sept. 26

Championship Finals Wollongong | Oct. 15-19

 

About USA Triathlon 

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 3,500 events and races and connects with and supports more than 300,000 unique active members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.