Search
shop

Adam Bowden wins Newport Wales Marathon

He didn't even know he was entered a week ago - but on Sunday Adam Bowden won the ABP Newport Wales Marathon in course record time...
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Great Britain’s Adam Bowden has rarely struggled with run speed during his triathlon career. It’s no wonder that his Twitter profile is @AdamSpeedyTri.

Having previously represented Great Britain in the 3000m Steeplechase at both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, Bowden made the switch into triathlon as part of the Barry Wells funded TriGold scheme back in 2010.

As well as winning several Elite national championship titles in triathlon and duathlon, he was for many years a key part of the GB squad on the World Triathlon Series, where his best result was fourth on home soil in Leeds in 2017.

A move to the longer distances has since seen him win Challenge Roma and IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai, plus take second at the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championship, Elsinore in 2018.

IRONMAN 70.3 Nice / Adam Bowden, Casper Stornes
Adam was also third last month at IRONMAN 70.3 Nice
Advertisement

On the road again

Now living in Wales, Bowden was back to his roots this past weekend when he raced – and won – the ABP Newport Wales Marathon. One of the ‘UK’s flattest marathons’, it was also the biggest mass participation event in Wales to date following the global pandemic.

Not only did he win in what was his first ‘not-in-an-ironman’ 26.2 mile effort, but he smashed the previous course record with a swift 2:20:06. It was also a negative split – 1:10:22 for the first half, 1:09:44 for the second half, so his pacing was certainly working well.

The interesting side story is that Adam didn’t actually enter the race! It was his wife Rhian who did the entry on his behalf, and only let him know less than a week ago when he returned from IRONMAN Mallorca.

“Absolutely over the moon🥇. Debut Marathon 2:20:06 + course record. I want to share this message because this incredible lady my wife @121physio actually signed me up for this marathon. I was told when I landed 🛬 from Mallorca what did I think to running a marathon. You could imagine my reaction but truly grateful that it did happen.”

Another ‘unbeaten’ marathon running triathlete

The story has a familiar theme – Adam’s long-time friend and fellow TriGold athlete, Mark Buckingham entered his local Yorkshire Marathon at late notice in 2019, on the back of being one of Alistair Brownlee’s key training partners in his preparations for the IRONMAN World Championship that year. He also won in style, stopping the clock at 2:21:42 that day.

ABP Newport Wales Marathon Results 2021

MEN

  • 1. Adam Bowden (Bridgend AC) – 2:20:06
  • 2. Ollie Garrod (South London AC) – 2:25:58
  • 3. Mark Worringham (Reading Roadrunners) – 2:33:36

WOMEN

  • Rebecca Gallop (Newark AC) – 2:44:07
  • Melissah Gibson (Ealing Eagles Running Club) – 2:51:25
  • Jill Collett (Datchet) – 2:53:27

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...