Search
shop

No Outlaw Half start for defending champion Karl Alexander

After winning the race for the last two editions - and with a memorable finish last year - Karl Alexander's hopes of an Outlaw Half three-peat are over...
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Advertisement

Two-time and defending champion OUT of the Outlaw Half

Karl Alexander says, “I’m absolutely gutted…”

It was one of the most memorable sights of the 2016 domestic racing season – but we won’t have any chance of a repeat of this image at Sunday’s Outlaw Half Triathlon in Nottingham. Injuries sustained in a recent bike crash mean that Karl Alexander will not get a chance to try and three-peat – which was one of his primary aims of the year.

Outlaw Half Nottingham 2016: Karl Alexander and Simon George
Outlaw Half Nottingham 2016: Karl Alexander and Simon George

In the best shape of his life, Karl’s three big targets this year were the Outlaw Half, Outlaw Half Holkham and The Outlaw. Injury means he’ll have to miss the first of those, the race he has won for the past two years.

Here’s why…

When the best laid plans go wrong… but, I’ll be back!

Coming into the 2017 season, I’d done everything right. Winter training had gone really well, despite taking it easy throughout October and November. I picked up training in earnest in December and results from lab testing had shown an increase in bike power across the board from Lactate Threshold to VO2Max. Coupled with a significant loss in body weight meant I was going faster for less effort. PB’s in the pool and on the run were also showing promise.

But, sometimes life has a way of bringing you back to earth – quite literally – with a bump.

Whilst participating in an event in Lake District, I overcooked a high speed corner on a descent and had an altercation with a hedgerow which gripped my bars, stopping me suddenly from 35mph and dumping me rather unceremoniously onto the tarmac, in the process relieving me of skin in return for some rather fetching road rash. Being made of tough stuff, I got up and dusted myself down, checked my bike and was back riding the last 30 miles (of 112) to the finish.

Over the next few days, I continued to train, but the pain in my right elbow didn’t seem to want to go away. Everywhere else was feeling better except my elbow and with some encouragement (read, nagging…) from my wife I finally took myself to the local Minor Injuries Clinic for an assessment and X-Ray which confirmed my worst fears.

Over the last few days, it has been rest and painkillers in the hope that I could recover and be on the startline for the Outlaw Half this Sunday. But, after conversations with my wife and the Editor of a popular Triathlon website (!), I’ve made the decision to withdraw, recover and refocus on upcoming events. After two DNF’s last season, the last thing I wanted was a DNS to start the season, but participating could have repercussions later down the line.

To say I’m upset is possibly a contender for understatement of the year. I’m absolutely gutted to not be lining up to defend my Outlaw Half title in pursuit of my third consecutive victory. But, I have to be pragmatic and realise that with the quality of the field assembled I have to be nothing less than 100%.

Giant Store St. Pauls Triathlon Evenings

I’ll still be in Nottingham for the race, I’ll be presenting the winners ERDINGER Glass this year instead of receiving it and I’ll see if I can commandeer a microphone for some commentary too.

It’s going to be a great race, I’m just bummed I won’t be a part of it!

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
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

Share to...