Sunday’s DNF at IRONMAN South Africa 2025 was not the triumphant comeback story Ruth Astle was looking for after an injury-plagued two years.

The three-time IRONMAN race winner – including a previous win here at Nelson Mandela Bay – took to social media in the immediate aftermath of the race to castigate herself for being “just a bit s***”, admitting in an emotional Instagram post: “I don’t know how many more beatings I can take.”

But the British star, who is back in action again following calf problems, has since found a way to put it all in perspective, and is ready to put her weekend nightmare behind her.

Ruth will ‘reach for the stars’

In a follow-up Instagram post on Monday morning, she wrote: “I let myself feel it, and wallow in self pity for the day (massive thanks to the two volunteers consoling me in the food tent).

“After a good night’s sleep, I woke up with a little more perspective, and most importantly, a glimmer of hope.”

Adding a picture of herself as schoolgirl competing in a sack race, Ruth wrote: “The sadness is still there, and it still stings, but hope is back in the picture. The same hope of the little girl in this picture that if she jumps high enough she might reach the stars.”

Astle has not won an IRONMAN since November 2022, but says she is just grateful for the support of family, friends and boyfriend Alistair Brownlee, “who couldn’t care less if I’m good at triathlon or not”.

With her friend Jack Schofield’s 32-year-old wife Vic currently battling an aggressive form of cancer, Astle was quickly able to put a bad race into perspective.

Do something meaningful

Including a link to their JustGiving page in her post, she wrote: “If you want to do something meaningful today, consider donating the price of your coffee to a cause that is helping two of my best friends through the absolute worst time.”

Astle’s Sunday-night post explaining what had gone wrong in Port Elizabeth was a tough read.

She wrote: “Knew I was in for a tough day when I got cold on the second lap of the swim (so choppy!!) and could barely work my legs coming into transition.

“Then on the bike tried to bridge up to @anne_reischmann but had nothing. Struggled to push more than 150w all day. . . Makes for a v long bike!! Literally worse bike power I have ever pushed in an IM – even as an age grouper 🙈

“Kept going on the off chance I felt ok to try and run (anything is possible in Ironman after all 🤣) but could barely walk off the bike.

“Rationally I know I’m better than that, emotionally I don’t know how many more beatings I can take. But in the bigger picture I have all the most important things and another dnf is meaningless in the grand scheme of the life.”