Emma Pallant-Browne

profile

Emma Pallant-Browne has proven herself to be one of the fastest women over triathlon’s middle distance, with a resumé brimmed full of IRONMAN 70.3 and Challenge circuit victories. That includes a 2nd place finish at 70.3 Worlds in 2017, and a third place in 2022.

In addition to her triathlon exploits, Emma has achieved the status of world champion in Aquathlon and Duathlon. And while she’s mainly focused on the middle distance, her one hit out over the full Ironman distance in Austria in 2018 saw her finish 3rd.

Born in June, 1989, Emma originates from Surrey, England but is now based in Johannesburg, South Africa with her husband, and fellow triathlete Jaryd Browne. She is coached by two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship bronze medallist Tim Don.

Emma’s strongest discipline is the run – a former European U23 Cross Country champion, Emma comes from a professional running background. She discovered the sport of triathlon while recovering from a 2012 knee injury sustained while attempting to make the London Olympics squad in the 5,000m.

Career record and results

Emma’s first campaign on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit in 2016 consisted of seven podium finishes. Third places at Mallorca and Zell am See and seconds at Barcelona, Budapest, Hefei and Bahrain certainly showcased her prowess over the middle-distance.

The crowning glory of her 2016 campaign though was a victory on home turf at IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth, punctuated by the fastest half-marathon split of the race in a time of 1:23:13.

Further race victories followed during the 2017 season. A victory at Challenge Canaria – in a field which included fellow Brit Lucy Charles-Barclay and Swiss superstar Daniela Ryf – was followed up by wins at 70.3 Barcelona and 70.3 Edinburgh.

2017 also saw a first appearance at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship and what a debut it was – Emma’s prowess on the run brought her through the field as she earned the silver medal, over six minutes behind the eventual winner Ryf.

Three more victories followed in the 2018 season – IRONMAN 70.3s in Staffordshire, Dun Laoghaire and a retention of the Barcelona crown. But she was unable to replicate her 2017 success at the World Championships as she finished ninth in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

2019 saw six victories added to her resumé. She once again defeated all-comers at Challenge Gran Canaria whilst adding the Challenge Capetown title to her name. Further 70.3 wins in Pay d’Aix, Cascais, Vichy and Lanzarote rounded out her victories for the year and she again finished ninth at 70.3 Worlds, this time in France.

Like many, Emma’s 2020 season was blighted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Victory at the People’s Triathlon in South Africa and a second-place finish at 70.3 South Africa were the highlights of her season. She also finished 12th at the PTO 2020 Championship at Challenge Daytona.

With a return to racing in 2021, Pallant-Browne was a regular podium dweller. She claimed a bronze medal at 70.3 St George and silvers at Des Moines and California. Victories at the Free State Triathlon, 70.3 Florida and Boulder as well as the Rev3 Williamsburg title. Emma also competed in the inaugural Collins Cup as part of Team Europe, winning her matchup, and finished fifth at the 70.3 World Championship in St George.

2022 was another incredible year for Pallant-Browne, with 9 podium finishes including 6 wins and a third place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. Her run of success continued into 2023, finishing on the podium at all but two of the races she started and adding another 3 victories to her triathlon CV. A DNF at Miami T100 got 2024 off to a rough start, though a 2nd place and two wins at her next 3 races made it look like things were back on track. She put in a series of solid performances on the T100 circuit, but finished with a DNF at T100 Las Vegas and swerved that year’s 70.3 worlds.

In March 2025, Emma announced she was expecting her first baby with partner Jaryd and she has been on maternity leave for the 2025 season.

Emma Pallant-Browne and family

Emma is married to fellow triathlete Jaryd Browne, who competes a lot domestically in South Africa on the triathlon and cycling circuits. The pair welcomed their first child together in August 2025.