Search
shop

Triathlon legend Mark Allen advises caution among top professionals ahead of 2024 season

Mark Allen offers some sage advice to the current crop of long course professionals.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

This season, there are millions of dollars of prize money on the line and top class racing opportunities available almost every other week. As a result, there are plenty of incentives for top professionals to push through injuries or illnesses in 2024.

Having so much at stake, especially for the 40 athletes contracted to race the T100 Triathlon World Tour, could cause problems. Triathlon legend Mark Allen, who won six IRONMAN World Championship titles, is keen to highlight this.

Drawing on his own experience of pushing his body to the limit, Allen made his views on sacrificing long term health for race results clear. Sharing his thoughts on Instagram, ‘The Grip’ issued a warning to the current crop of professionals.

Advertisement

“There is a fine line between fast and stupid”

For Allen, whilst this may be the richest year triathlon has ever seen, professionals should be more careful than ever to ensure that they are prioritising their long term health and development in the sport.

Mark Allen at the IRONMAN World Championship in 1987.

“Note to all of the pro triathletes embarking on the richest year our sport has ever seen. There is a fine line between fast and stupid.

“This photo is from a year in which I was pretty close to dying from something I broke inside me that surgeons spent a long time trying to find.”

The photo, which was taken during the IRONMAN World Championship in 1987, was snapped just before the American was hospitalised with internal bleeding.

Take stock of what matters most

Whilst Allen understands as well as anyone the attraction of pushing your body to the limit, the 66-year-old offered some sage advice on taking a long term perspective to your health in the sport.

“Triathlon is a great sport and for a few it is a great job. No job and no sport are worth dying for and if you don’t think it can happen to you, look closely at the picture!”

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
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
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!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
‘It’s going to be an absolute firecracker’ says Cam Wurf after booking IRONMAN World Champs spot
Maya Kingma Karlovy Vary win 2024
Two-time Olympic triathlete joins top pro cycling team – and is set to race in Giro d’Italia
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
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...