Triathlon pioneer Julian Jenkinson dies

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.

British Male Iron Distance 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.