Eight athletes. Every distance, every level, every reason for joining our sport. SLS3 digs into the motivations and challenges behind what makes a triathlete.
Is it the 5am alarm? Overcoming nerves on the start line? The discipline to train when nobody's watching? (Who are we kidding - that's what Strava is for) Or the comeback after a tough race?
To find out, we brought together eight athletes from across the sport - from first timers to international age-group champions. What we found was that it isn't a podium or a personal best that defines a triathlete - it's a shared mindset of grit, curiosity and commitment that keeps them coming back to the start line.
Each athlete tells their story below. Watch them in any order.
Then decide what makes yours.
Lost the vision in one eye at 20. Rebuilt as a triathlete. Second at the British and European AG champs in 2025.
Started because he saw Julie Moss crawl across a finish line on TV. Forty years later, he crossed the Roth finish line.
3:06 marathoner. UCI Road Worlds qualifier. Now building the sport she wanted to see when she was younger.
Lost her horse and everything that came with it. Found her purpose again at 5am on a bike. Eecently completed 70.3 Warsaw
Two marathons in and looking for something harder. Ireland U18 footballer, now learning to swim from the back.
Cycling the length of the UK in his teens, and then NYC to San Fran in his 20s - the most obvious evolution was taking on Triathlons.
Ran a half marathon 5 months pregnant, now training for T100 postpartum. Running once felt impossible for her, now it's her therapy.
Very strong cyclist first, now a rapid runner. Determined for the swimming to catch up at some point.
No athlete stories found in this category.
