RAINBOW-NATION RACING

I’m struggling toward kilometre 36 of the marathon, ‘running’ into a 30mph headwind, being rapidly chased down by Annah Watkinson and having to use every ounce of mental strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I don’t want the wind and heat to get the better of me, but it’s tough. I slow down to a walk as I reach another aid station and wonder if there’s enough road between Annah and I. Am I going to be able to hold on to the finish line?

MEET RUTH Ruth Astle is a Leeds-based triathlete, who turned pro at the end of 2019 having won the overall amateur Ironman World Championship race in Kona. Ruth recently won Ironman Mallorca and Ironman South Africa, and will be competing at the two world championship races in 2022.

FROM AMATEUR TO ATHLETE

I’m Ruth Astle, a UK-based professional triathlete who decided racing Ironman South Africa five weeks after winning Ironman Mallorca would be a good idea.

I turned professional at the