Search
shop

Triathlon pioneer Julian Jenkinson dies

Incredibly sad news as triathlon pioneer & UK Ironman legend Julian Jenkinson died after suffering a heart-attack whilst out training.
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Exceptionally sad news today, brought to our attention from Richard Iles, Race Director of RaceNewForest events.

Very sad to hear the awful news this weekend that UK Ironman Legend Julian Jenkinson suffered a fatal heart attack whilst out training. Jules was a great friend & one of the pioneers of triathlon in the New Forest, one of the founding members of Southampton Tri Club. Our thoughts go to Erica & family & friends.

Julian Jenkinson really was one of the pioneers and exceptional athletes during the development of the sport in this country from the early 90s.

If you’ve been around a long time (as we have here, long before Tri247 – indeed, long before the internet World Wide Web even existed), then Julian’s regular (and amusing) column’s in 220 Magazine are part of the fabric of our history. While Cycling Weekly has Dr Hutch now, ‘we’ had Dr Julian Jenkinson.

A multiple winner of ‘The Longest Day’ – for many years the only iron-distance race within the UK – Julian represented Great Britain internationally at Elite level. In 1995 he finished fifth at the European Iron-Distance Championships in Detern, Germany: “physically I had the best race of my life. This coincided with undoubtedly the fastest ironman course in the world on a cool deathly calm day that time trialists dream about”.

Julian’s time that day (8:15:21), stood as the British record for 13 years. Even now, only four British athletes (Paul Amey, Tom Lowe, Joe Skipper and Stephen Bayliss), have since recorded faster iron-distance times.

Advertisement

British Male Iron Distance Record Progression

British Ironman Record Progression

After his triathlon career, Julian excelled on the domestic cycling time trial scene. In 2010 Julian won the Best British All-Rounder (BBAR) title, for the fastest average speeds over 50mile, 100mile and 12-hour TT’s during the season.

That year Julian also won the National 12-Hour Champs (covering 292.49 miles), and was second in the ‘100’ Champs (3:38:54). Plenty of other fast times and medals along the way too.

Sincere condolences from everyone at Tri247 to the family and friends of Julian Jenkinson.

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
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
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.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
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...