Search
shop

British IRONMAN Champion on committing to professional triathlon and chasing a T100 Tour wildcard

Ruth Astle is not counting anything out as she prepares for her first race as a full-time professional athlete.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -

Despite finishing fifth at an IRONMAN World Championship in 2022 and recording a number of professional wins, British long distance athlete Ruth Astle has never been a full-time triathlete, until now.

Having given up her job with Lloyd’s Bank, the 34-year-old is now fully committed to the sport and shared what her first few weeks of full-time triathlon have been like in a recent YouTube video.

Additionally, the PTO World #83 gave an update on her fitness after an injury hit 2023 and revealed why she still hopes to be offered a wildcard slot to the next T100 Triathlon World Tour race in Singapore next month.

Advertisement

“I’m not expecting it to be that different”

Whilst she can now call herself a “proper professional athlete”, Astle admitted that it hasn’t quite sunk in yet that she is all in on the sport, sharing that she believes the process will take some time.

Ruth Astle St George finish line 2022 photo credit Tom Pennington Getty Images for IRONMAN
[Photo credit: Tom Pennington / Getty Images for IRONMAN]

“Finally a proper professional athlete. The timing of when I lined it all up, having done it after a month in Spain anyway as opposed to after a week working my Lloyd’s job, has made it not feel that different yet.

“I think over the next few weeks it will feel different, as by then it’ll be quite a long time since I’ll have done any Lloyd’s work and I’ll get to my first month without a pay check, which will obviously be different!

“I’m not expecting it to be that different going forward, I just think there will be some weeks where it’ll hit me that I don’t have to think anything else outside of triathlon.” 

“It could be a last minute trip”

Preparing to fly out to Nice for a camp on the IRONMAN World Championship course, Astle revealed a rough plan for the first part of the season, but said she was still also waiting for a last minute phone call from the PTO.

“I was hoping that I might get a Singapore wildcard, mainly because I quite fancy a trip to Singapore, but training has been going really well and I feel quite fit, so I was kind of hoping I would get the opportunity to race there.

“The start lists have come out and I haven’t so that’s a shame, but who knows, there could some more withdrawals, so it could be a last minute trip!”

With more than half the contracted professionals on the women’s side already not racing in Singapore on April 13-14, don’t be surprised if the Brit is a last minute call-up, as the second stop of the 2024 T100 Tour heads to South East Asia next month.

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
Challenge Family Kaiserwinkle-Walchsee triathlon bike
The ultimate triathlon bike courses to ride before you die
TRI247 Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review
Wahoo KICKR RUN treadmill review – can Wahoo do for treadmill running what they did for indoor cycling?
Challenge Cesenatico 2024 debut - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
5 ways to improve your FTP – Expert tips to level up your cycling
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
sumarpo triathlon swimming wetsuit
Wetsuit buying guide – How to choose the best wetsuit for triathlon, open water swimming, SwimRun and cold water
latest News
Lionel Sanders training pic August 2023 photo credit Talbot Cox
Lionel Sanders details new training mantra ahead of 2025 triathlon season
Paris 2024 Olympic mens triathlon Hayden Wilde run
WTCS Abu Dhabi 2025: Start time, preview and how to watch live
Alex Yee Cassandre Beaugrand gold medals supertri Boston photo credit supertri
Olympic triathlon champion smashes national 5km running record thanks to SENSATIONAL finish
Jelle Geens IRONMAN
IRONMAN 70.3 World Champ heads to Geelong to kickstart 2025 season before T100 focus
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Yo Yo Yo – Sam Long sets out his BIGGEST goal for 2025 and puts mood over training metrics
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...