Search
shop

Taylor Spivey opens up on a 2023 that was ‘heavy to bear’ and vows she will be back

Taylor Spivey shares her thoughts after a tough end to the season.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Taylor Spivey held onto her fourth place in the overall WTCS rankings with a brave 16th-place finish at the WTCS Finals in Pontevedra, despite not having run properly in close to a month due to injury.

The American star, who led the series up until WTCS Hamburg in July, had picked up an injury in the build up to the Paris Olympic Test Event. That hampered her end-of-season bid for Olympic qualification.

Sharing her thoughts after the race on social media, Spivey revealed the extent of her struggles in the build up-to the race, and thanked her team and supporters for their help in getting to the end of the season after a 2023 full of challenges.

Rollercoaster season for Spivey

After starting off the year with a first WTCS podium in almost a year and a half at WTCS Abu Dhabi, Spivey was consistently at the front of most races leading into the crux of the season, with a fourth at WTCS Yokohama followed up by another podium at WTCS Cagliari before two Top 10 results in Hamburg and Montreal.

Taylor Spivey at WTCS Finals Pontevedra.
[Photo Credit – World Triathlon/Tommy Zaferes]

However, after missing out on Olympic qualification at the Paris Test Event, finishing 10th, it emerged that Spivey was battling some injury problems on the run and despite finishing third at SLT Championship Series London ten days later, Spivey then had to withdraw from the following round in Toulouse.

In a race against time to get fit and healthy again for the WTCS Finals in Pontevedra, which given the increased points on offer would have a big say in the final standings for the season, Spivey admitted that the weight of the last year got the better of her, as she just managed to cling on to her WTCS standing running on fumes in Spain.

Taylor says she will be back

“Did what I came to Pontevedra to do, but not what I wanted to do. Held on to 4th in the World. The weight of the last year has been heavy to bear. And it gradually took a toll on the body. From illness to injury, piled on top of each other, it finally cracked me.

“This race was my first full body weight run since London Super League, and I somehow got through 10km. I toughed it out, like so many races this year, and got to the finish line. Many have carried me through dark moments to much brighter ones. And for that I cannot thank you all enough, from the bottom of my heart.”

Slated to race this coming weekend on home turf at SLT Championship Series Malibu, it remains to be seen if Spivey will now take a break from racing to regain her health or battle on through. Promising to return at full strength soon, the American concluded her race recap with some optimism, sharing that “the moments that often break us, make us stronger in the end. I’ll be back”.

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
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
lionel sanders wins oceanside 2024 [Photo credit: Donald Miralle / IRONMAN]
Lionel Sanders pinpoints the BIGGEST difference from Mark Allen era of triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
Triathlon superstar Sam Laidlow went from near DNS at Challenge Roth to epic glory
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
Supertri Toronto 2025: How to watch live as Alex Yee makes his triathlon return
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...