Search
shop

Tim O’Donnell to return to racing after health scare

Fortunate to still be alive after a heart attack in 2021, twice Kona podium finisher Tim O'Donnell has confirmed his racing return.
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Perhaps the greatest day in the long and distinguished career of Tim O’Donnell came on the biggest stage of all in October 2019.

While Jan Frodeno was a mile or so up the road, further cementing his GOAT credentials and breaking the Kona course record on the way to a third IRONMAN World Championship title, O’Donnell himself was having a race to remember.

Crossing the finish line on Ali’i Drive in second place, ‘T.O.’ became only the fourth man to finish under eight hours on the Big Island, joining Frodeno, Patrick Lange and Bart Aernouts in that exclusive club.

Having just turned 39 at the time, he was among the fittest men on the planet.

Advertisement

Health scare

And that is what made news that O’Donnell had suffered a heart attack – while racing at Challenge Miami 2021 no less – so shocking. It was an incredibly scary time for Tim and his family, as shown on their Tim and Rinny YouTube channel last year.

Diagnosed with the ‘Widow Maker’, 80% of the left anterior descending artery in his heart was blocked – quite simply, he was lucky to be alive. “I dodged a bullet and now we are moving forward” he said in that August 2021 video – and months later, O’Donnell has confirmed his return to racing in 2022.

Racing return starts in Florida

Via his Instagram page this week, Tim confirmed that his return to racing will be at the Couples Championship on 6th March in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“Rinny and I will be pairing up, we’ll be racing all the young guns from the ITU… not going to lie, we are probably like twice their age, so it should be interesting!

“I will check back in soon with the rest of my schedule for 2022. It’s not quite firmed up yet, but i’m really excited to get back out there on the race course, and see everyone out there.”

Best wishes to Tim on his return from a very challenging and emotional 2021.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
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!)
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
latest News
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
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
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...