#TeamTCUK athlete, Sophie Ward took on the Challenge London 2023 middle distance triathlon this summer. Despite battling with a buoy on the swim, strong winds on the bike and picking up a couple of blisters on the run, she smashed her way to home to come third in her age group! Here's Sophie's race report...

Pre-race

How were your preparations leading up to the race?

For those of you who know long-standing (or is that sitting?) #TeamTCUK athlete, John Lamb, you'll know his sense of humour so you'll know exactly what route this article will take. Big thanks to John for putting together a race report for Outlaw X and reminding us all why we should 'trust in the process'. Warning: graphic lower body content!

"Before I drone on about eventually getting a triathlon done this year, I need to rewind to this time last year.

Following a string of cancelled races (we can all empathise with that!), #TeamTCUK athlete, Ed Crisp, decided to do the Aviemore Long Hard Durty Triathlon anyway...here's his report!

2020 has not been an ordinary year by any stretch of the imagination what was due to be my first season of racing after training with TCUK has turned out to be something of a damp squib.

Let's face it, most of us will be glad to see the back of 2020, not least because the coronavirus pandemic has caused utter mayhem and left us triathletes with cancelled race calendars. One race did, however, go ahead and long-term #TeamTCUK athelete, Andrew Boyle - or Bogsey as he is fondly known! - and his brother, Matt were on the start line. Here's Bogsey's race report for the Evolve Half Distance triathlon that took place in Womersley, North Yorkshire in July...

With 15 years of competing in triathlon under his belt, and making it to his 50th year on the planet back in January, #TeamTCUK coach Ady Dench knew he had a sub-10 hour Ironman in him, somewhere! Could he find it at Ironman Barcelona? Read on to find out!

When #TeamTCUK athlete, Anna Best, won her age group at the London triathlon in 2018, she was 'rewarded' with a place in the famous 'Escape from Alcatraz' triathlon 2019 in San Francisco. Anna saw the race as an unmissable opportunity and, with the expert guidance of coach James, began preparing for a truly memorable day tackling cold water, dodging sharks & sea lions, climbing plenty of hills on the bike and confronting a 400-step 'sand ladder' on the run. Find out how she got on in her inspirational blog post!

Turning 40 proved to be a turning point in #TeamTCUK athlete, Sandra Hunter's triathlon career: she decided to celebrate her birthday milestone by entering her first ever full distance triathlon - Ironman Switzerland. Getting her goggles knocked off in the swim, feeling like a pro on Heartbreak Hill, perfecting a new skill on lap 2 of the bike course and smashing through the marathon in just over four hours, Sandra finished a fanastic 6th in her age group!

After his 15-year old son, Jack, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain infection, #TeamTCUK athlete Dan Faulkner accepted Jack's challenge to compete in a triathlon. Dan's brave and inspiring journey saw him do Jack proud at the recent Outlaw Half Holkham in Norfolk.

After completing IM Barcelona and IM Zurich, #TeamTCUK athlete, Alison Lamputt, was looking for her next long distance racing test. There was only one race on the cards: the iconic   Challenge Roth. Find out how Alison got on in her race report below!

One of the greatest long distance triathlons in the world, Challenge Roth sells out in minutes so bagging a race place is the first hurdle.

#TeamTCUK athlete, Richard 'Hobbsie' Hobbs was one of the lucky ones and, after competing in Challenge Roth 2017, found himself on the start line for a second time and chasing a sub-11hr finish.

Find out how he got on and why he's now spending the rest of the summer learning how to pee on the bike! 

Pre-race