Search
shop

British triathlete SMASHES bike record and secures Nice qualification after overcoming injury setbacks

After a testing 18 months since her last IRONMAN podium, Ruth Astle secured her spot at the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice with a brilliant performance at IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

With multiple IRONMAN titles to her name, Ruth Astle is part of an incredible current crop of British women racing long distance triathlon, but has seen a calf problem keep her sidelined for much of the past 12 months.

On Sunday, the 35-year-old put that injury hit period behind her, as she finished on her first podium since winning IRONMAN Israel in November 2022 with a fantastic third place at IRONMAN Vitoria-Gasteiz.

Setting a new bike course record on her way to securing qualification for the IRONMAN World Champs in Nice, the PTO World #52 had a day to remember, and shared how much the result meant to her on YouTube after the race.

Advertisement

Putting her doubts to bed

Revealing that she hadn’t run further than 15km in the build up to the race, Astle miraculously ran a 3:08:24 marathon after coming off the bike in the lead, which consolidated her spot on the podium.

Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
[Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images for Ironman]

“Overall, I’m super proud and super happy. I actually felt quite fit off the training I’d done, but there’s still always that doubt after an injury.” 

Having overcome her calf injury, and now with a marathon under her belt, it will be interesting to see the improvements Astle can make on the run as she builds back her fitness and training throughout the rest of the season.

Podium a brilliant bonus

Coming into the race, Astle pointed out that her sights had simply been set on getting through the race injury-free, with Nice qualification a secondary objective and finishing on the podium a major bonus.

“Goal number one was to start a race and finish it. This is basically only my second race over the last year, […], and my main goal was to finish without injuries, get my Nice slot and anything else was a bonus, so to finish on the podium I’m really happy.” 

With a bike split of 4:29:54, Astle broke the previous course record by more than ten minutes, and after racing so well in Spain, is considering a transatlantic double header, sharing “I still have a provisional flight to race Lake Placid, but I’m not sure if the feet will be able to handle it!” 

If she does make the trip out to race IRONMAN Lake Placid, she’ll hope to follow in the footsteps of Els Visser, who in Vitoria-Gasteiz, finished in second, just a week after a third place finish at Challenge Roth.

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
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
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
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...