Samara Maxwell takes a sabbatical year and steps away from international competition in 2026

The 2025 season has been intense for Samara Maxwell, competing at the highest international level and spending many months away from her home and closest surroundings. For this reason, the New Zealand runner has announced that in 2026 she will take a complete break from competition, taking a sabbatical year to focus on her physical and mental recovery.

Samara Maxwell announces a pause in her career to prioritize her well-being

Maxwell has decided to dedicate the next year to resting, reconnecting with her family, and returning to her roots. During this period, she will step away not only from racing but also from media commitments, social media, and public events, with the aim of regaining balance after several seasons of maximum demand.

“This is the right time to stop, breathe, and return to my origins. I want to spend time with my family, recharge my energy, and prepare for the challenges to come,” the runner explained in the statement.

Despite this temporary step back, Maxwell's long-term sports project remains unchanged. Her goal continues to be returning to competition with renewed energy and continuing her path towards representing New Zealand at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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The decision has received full support from her sports environment, from her Decathlon Ford team to her sponsors, personal trainer, and medical team. Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ have also shown their support, understanding that this break is key to protecting her well-being and extending her sports career.

From Decathlon Ford and A&J Allsports Management, they have expressed gratitude for the understanding of the media, sponsors, and fans, emphasizing that this pause is an important step towards building a more balanced and sustainable sports future.