Search
shop

Triathlon superstar Jonny Brownlee has revealed why he will NOT be doing an IRONMAN any time soon

British Olympic legend has other goals right now...
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

There isn’t much Jonny Brownlee couldn’t achieve in triathlon if he put his mind to it – but in the near future you’re unlikely to see him adding an IRONMAN win to his long list of achievements.

Brownlee is one of the most-decorated British triathletes in history with Olympic medals of every colour.

But he says watching brother Alistair blow up in the heat on his first attempt at an IRONMAN at the World Championships in Kona in 2019 has put right him off trying the discipline for himself.

Advertisement

“Long day out”

Speaking on the ‘Junkyard Dogs’ podcast on YouTube, embedded below, Brownlee said: “Generally what’s put me off was watching Alistair do Kona. I sat at home with the coverage on, up late at night. Watching him blow up just made me feel, wow… it just looks like a long, long, long day out.

Jonny Brownlee Tokyo 2020 Mixed Team Relay run leg

“I keep saying I’m not going to try it. I know it’s harder. When you do a sprint distance race, you think: ‘I can’t do double that for an Olympic distance race.’

“And in an Olympic distance race you think: ‘Oh I can’t do double that to do a half IRONMAN.’ And the same process for the half IRONMAN. So for me it’s just the distance. It just seems like a lot.

“I’m coming round to it now I’ve done a 70.3 without blowing up. Maybe in a few years’ time I’ll do an IRONMAN but I’m still not sure if I’ll ever do one competitively or do one just to get round.”

Brownlee does have an IRONMAN right on his doorstep in Leeds, his hometown, this year. The 35-year-old admits to being tempted by it – but there’s just one problem.

“At least a year”

Brownlee said: “The Leeds one tempts me though it’s a really hard course. Alistair told me once ‘when you do an IRONMAN do one that’s over as quickly as possible’ and that’s definitely not Leeds.

“Leeds does tempt me but by that point I will be back doing Supertri racing, I want to have at least a year doing that and I really enjoy racing that.”

Paul Brown
Written by
Paul Brown
Discover more
Challenge Family Jort Vlam CEO
“It’s not just for nutty people who train 40 hours a week!” Jort Vlam on taking triathlon mainstream and why he’s still inspired to keep growing the sport
Chain hanging to dry after waxing
PremiumSwitching to a waxed chain could take minutes off your Ironman bike split, without riding any harder – and here’s why
PremiumAre women better than men at long distances? We uncover the truth once and for all
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Sian Rainsley Vitus
PremiumThreshold or VO2 max? The best type of intervals for triathletes who want to get faster
latest News
Lucy Charles Barclay T100 London celebrations 2025
T100 win confirms the numbers – and now Lucy Charles-Barclay sets sights on Kona and more
Alex Yee London Marathon 2025
Alex Yee sets stunning new PB for 5,000m at international meet in Belgium
Hayden Wilde finish line T100 London 2025
‘He’s a superfreak’ – Jan Frodeno hails INCREDIBLE Hayden Wilde comeback
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 London men’s results 2025: Hayden Wilde wins in one of the GREATEST EVER sporting comebacks
Lucy Charles Barclay wins T100 London 2025
T100 London women’s results 2025: FAIRYTALE win for Lucy Charles-Barclay in front of home fans
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...