Search
shop

Ruth Astle overcomes a season of setbacks at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona

Ruth Astle reacts to her race at the IRONMAN World Championship
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Ruth Astle was rewarded for her patience after a season of setbacks with an excellent performance to finish 12th at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.

The multiple Ironman winner, who had finished fifth at the delayed 2021 IRONMAN World Championship last year in St George, spent long periods of this season unable to run due to calf problems.

On Saturday though she excelled in clocking 8:55:335 – beating her previous best time as a professional in Kona by a whopping 25 minutes. That was finished off with a strong 3:11:54 marathon in sweltering conditions.

Sharing her thoughts after the race on her YouTube channel (watch the full episode below), Astle said she was pleased with her result as she broke nine hours for just the fourth time in her career.

Advertisement

“It was just so mentally tough”

After a battle in the swim and a very strong bike leg, where she moved through the field and put herself in contention for a top finish, Astle shared how mentally hard the marathon was in Kona, with its characteristically long highways and searing heat.

“Coming into transition, I was like right, I’m in the Top 10 and knowing it was Kona, where a lot of people blow up, I just knew I had to try and run a relatively conservative pace given the lack of running I’d had.

“My legs felt alright, but Ali’i Drive was unbearably hot, and after I managed to run up Palani hill, unlike last year, it was just so mentally tough on the Queen K highway. You can see ahead how far you’ve got to run and it just seemed endless.” 

During the latter stages of the run, Astle was forced to hang tough in a battle for the Top 10 and had to work hard to convince herself to keep going, especially after cramping badly near the 35km mark.

“Coming into the Energy Lab, I knew that a top 10 was possible if I kept running strong, until around 35km, where I got a massive leg cramp where I had to stop and stretch. There and then, I knew that I had to just keep moving, because if I walked I wouldn’t even be able to stay in the Top 15.”

ST GEORGE, UTAH - MAY 07: Ruth Astle of Great Britain competes on the bike during the 2021 IRONMAN World Championships on May 07, 2022 in St George, Utah. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Reflecting on her finishing position, Astle reiterated that she was happy with the way things panned out and after a hard bike and pleasantly surprised with how she handled the marathon off so many run training issues this season.

“I’m really pretty happy, because there was a point on the bike where I thought the top 5 was possible, but having to do so much work by myself whilst I was riding was a struggle. However, I’m happy with how I finished.”

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...