Search
shop

‘It’s gone full circle’: Rainsley sees bigger picture after Birmingham

'Top 15 on a bad day isn't too bad I guess' says Midlander as she looks to move on from Commonwealths
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

There were mixed emotions for Sian Rainsley when she reflected on her Commonwealth Games, which saw her finish 12th in the individual.

Unusually for her, she was distanced on the swim – coming out of the water in 11th position in a race where the leading quartet at that point went on to fill the first four places.

Winner Flora Duffy (BER), who was retaining her title, and runner-up Georgia Taylor-Brown (ENG) broke clear on the bike and after that it was all about the battle for bronze, which eventually went to Beth Potter (SCO) who had led out the swim.

Advertisement

Tough start

Rainsley told us: “The swim was probably the worst I’ve had all year to be honest.

“I was hoping to be better set up going into the bike but on the bike it was good – the crowds were insane and really helped.

“But I just burnt too many matches trying to get back into the race initially.”

Sian Rainsley - AJ Bell World Triathlon Series Leeds 2022
Photo Credit: Ben Lumley / World Triathlon

It’s been a busy and progressive season – high placings at the Arena Games followed by prominent showings in the WTCS, with eighth in Hamburg the latest of those.

And Rainsley, who is from Coventry, saw plenty of positives from competing in Birmingham.

“It was a tough one but I’m really happy to do my first major Games and the crowds really kept me going,” she said of the huge local support.

Going full circle

“I grew up doing running races here [in Sutton Park] about a decade ago as a kid so it’s gone full circle.

“I could pick out friends, family and even old swim coaches on the circuit which was amazing so I really enjoyed that.

“If you’d said 18 months ago I’d be going to the Commonwealth Games, I’d have laughed. So to be here, I just wanted to make the most of it and enjoy it. Top 15 on a bad day isn’t too bad I guess.”

Sian has additional challenges too, with Crohn’s disease a constant balancing act but the news there is encouraging.

She said: “A few years ago I was in hospital and thinking about quitting triathlon so to be here and healthy on the start line and be ranked in the top five going into this is something special.

“I’ve managed to get on top of it now. It’s good to be healthy and back racing at the top level.”

And an equally busy second half of the season now awaits – with Super League beckoning, followed by a return to the WTCS and the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Abu Dhabi in November.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
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...