Ashleigh Gentle has claimed bronze at the 2024 Ironman world championships, charging through the field to finish on the podium in Taupo.
Lining up for her first Ironman 70.3 world championship, Gentle crossed the line in four hours three minutes and 01 secs, behind victorious American Taylor Knibb (3:57:34) and Great Britain's Kat Matthews.
The world’s top women took to Lake Taupo on Saturday and after the 1.9km swim the Australian was 44 seconds off the pace in 17th position.
Gentle started chipping away at the deficit on the bike and by the end of the 90km stage had worked her way up to eighth.
But it was in the run where Gentle showed her class, the two-time Olympian storming home to earn a podium finish.
“I’m pretty relieved. I didn’t really know how that was going to pan out but I’m really proud with how I held it together," said Gentle.
"To come away with a podium is just the icing on the cake.
"The swim was interesting, it was really hard to see where to go because the sun was rising, but I just tried to find some feet and hold on and just tried to hammer the transition and the first part of the bike was really difficult.
“I burnt a few matches early but just tried to settle in once I got on the bike.
"I got off onto the run ... and I’m really happy I found my rhythm. I had a ridiculous amount of support out there, so many Aussies and Kiwis, everyone in general was giving me so much support, I really felt that and it really lifted me to the finish."
Compatriot Ellie Salthouse registered her best Ironman 70.3 world championship result, finishing seventh in 4:07:48.
The Brisbane triathlete finished the swim 22nd and worked her way up to 13th on the bike before her strong run.
"I had the run of my life so I’m pretty stoked with that," she said.
"To run myself from 13th into seventh I have to be happy, especially this late in the year.
“I’ve had 12 good weeks of running training, and consistent training since my hamstring tear, so I’m really happy with how it’s progressing.
"It’s all looking good for next year if I can just keep things injury-free.”
Melbourne’s Grace Thek also recorded her best Ironman 70.3 world championship result, coming 10th in 4:09:08.
