Janet Takes on the Ironman 70.3 World Championship

When it comes to endurance, few challenges compare to the Ironman 70.3 World Championship — a test of strength, discipline, and sheer determination. This year, Carn Runner Janet not only rose to the occasion but excelled, finishing 4th in her age category and claiming the 2nd fastest bike split in her division.

It was a day of grit, wind, hills, and emotion — the kind of performance that captures the very spirit of sport.

A World-Class Test of Endurance

The Ironman 70.3, often called a “half Ironman,” covers 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of cycling, and a 13.1-mile half marathon to finish. The World Championship brings together the best age-group athletes from around the globe, all fighting for their place on one of endurance sport’s biggest stages.

For Janet, qualification was already a huge achievement — but she wasn’t there just to take part. Months of training had gone into preparing for the event: early-morning swims, long rides on Cornish hills, and brick sessions designed to mimic the intensity of racing three disciplines back-to-back.

The Race: Wind, Hills, and Heart

The day began with the swim — an open-water challenge that always tests nerves as much as stamina. Janet fought through choppy conditions and unpredictable currents to get through it, later describing herself as simply “relieved to survive the swim.”

Once onto the bike, everything changed. Drawing on her strength and experience, Janet powered through the brutal, hilly, and wind-whipped course, pushing hard from the first climb to the last descent. The effort paid off — she clocked the second-fastest bike split in her category, an incredible feat against world-class competition.

But as every triathlete knows, the real challenge comes when you step off the bike and start the run. The combination of fatigue, heat, and relentless gradients made the half marathon a battle of willpower. Janet later admitted that she had “no running legs left” after going all-out on the bike — yet she kept moving, determined to reach the finish.

The Finish Line

After hours of racing, the finish line came into view — a wave of relief, emotion, and pride washing over her as she crossed it. Waiting there was her sister, cheering her home after an epic day of racing.

Moments like that sum up what makes sport so special: the support, the struggle, and the satisfaction of seeing it through. To finish among the world’s best, with a top-five placing and one of the fastest bike performances of the day, is a remarkable achievement by any measure.

Flying the Carn Runners Flag Globally

While Carn Runners is best known for its vibrant community here in Cornwall, achievements like Janet’s show just how far that blue-and-yellow spirit reaches. From club runs in Camborne to global championships, the passion and perseverance remain the same.

Janet’s Ironman performance stands as an inspiration to every runner, cyclist, and swimmer who dreams of testing their limits. Her blend of strength, humility, and humour (“no running legs!”) perfectly embodies the spirit of the club.

Congratulations, Janet!

Finishing 4th in the world, earning 2nd fastest bike split, and conquering one of the most demanding courses on the planet — that’s something truly extraordinary.

From all at Carn Runners, congratulations on an incredible achievement. You’ve shown what’s possible when determination meets passion — and we couldn’t be prouder. 💛💙