TRI247
Search
shop
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION
SUPERTRI E TICKETS DISCOUNT & VIP COMPETITION

Heather Jackson ‘invigorated’ by ultra running and gravel racing switch

American triathlon star Heather Jackson is relishing a new challenge in 2023 as she tackles gravel and ultra running

Staff Reporter
Last updated -
SHOP
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE

Former IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships podium placer Heather Jackson is relishing a fresh challenge in 2023 as she transitions to ultra-running and gravel racing.

For almost a decade, 38-year-old Jackson has been one of the leading American women in long course triathlon, with the PTO world ranked #48 still finding herself on top of the podium in her last year of the sport, with second at IRONMAN Lake Placid and third at IRONMAN 70.3 Oregon in 2022.

However, after a long-course triathlon career that has seen Jackson represent the star spangled banner worldwide, at some of the sports biggest competitions, she is now hanging up her trisuit to focus on two new pursuits.

Heading into the unknown

After breaking the news at the end of 2022, Jackson shared more of her reasoning behind the switch in a new video on her YouTube channel, embedded below, where she revealed why she had decided to step away from full-distance racing.

The New Hampshire native shared that there was “a point where I was racing IRONMAN where it just got to repeat, just the same thing over and over, and it is hard after a while to look forward to doing the same thing again and again”.

The Oregon-based athlete, who raced her first ultra last year, went on to state that “I feel so invigorated, so remotivated, so excited to go after these new challenges”, adding that ultra and gravel racing are “two sports that require, not completely different training, but different focuses to what I’ve been doing for so long now”.

Jackson summarised her decision at the start of the video, explaining that:

As one chapter in my professional athletic career comes to an end, a new chapter begins.

“Testing myself against the best gravel cyclists and ultra runners in the world has become my new passion, my new career, and I’m both thankful and excited for this next journey I’m about to embark on.”

Jackson will be beginning her ultra running season with the Black Canyons Trail Ultra 100km on February 18th and will additionally be pursuing her gravel racing goals in the Life Time Grand Prix series throughout 2023.

13th April 2024 - London
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS - DON'T MISS OUT!
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Kyle Smith
Watt it takes to win at supertri E – a data dive into how deep the PROs have to dig
Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore - Beth Potter bike
The evolution of Esports in triathlon – How supertri brought virtual racing to the mainstream
Beth Potter Arena Games Triathlon Finals Singapore
Lightning fast splits and record breaking performances – relive some of the top moments from women’s supertri E racing
Lionel Sanders Arena Games Montreal game face on bike photo credit SLT
Countdown to supertri E – a look back at some of the most epic moments in men’s triathlon E racing
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
Brownlee brothers on the costly race day swim mistakes to avoid – plus their own mishaps
latest News
Lucy Charles-Barclay comes home second at the Miami T100.
Lucy Charles-Barclay ‘hungry’ for redemption at the second stop of the T100 Triathlon World Tour
Georgia Taylor-Brown WTCS Yokohama 2023 finish
World Triathlon Indoor Cup Lievin: Start time, preview, format and how to watch live
Kat Matthews PTO Tour US Open 2023
Kat Matthews shares details of race against time to recover from Miami T100 injury
Mixed Team Relay France podium WTCS Sunderland 2023 photo credit: World Triathlon / Petko Beier
World Triathlon confirm initial nine teams to qualify for Paris Olympic Games Mixed Relay
Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
Invalid email address
The SBRX Group

Proudly elevating endurance sports through content, products & services

SBRX
RUN247
Share to...