Olympic greats targeting UTMB and Marathon des Sables challenges when their triathlon careers start to slow down
Alistair and Jonny Brownlee have little to prove as they edge towards the end of their professional triathlon careers. Between them the brothers have won three Olympic gold medals over a trio of Games – Alistair winning the individual title at London 2012 and Rio 2016, while Jonny stood on top of the podium as part of the mixed relay at Tokyo last year.
They are not finished yet, of course. Alistair is concentrating on Ironman events, while Jonny’s attentions are fixed on short course triathlon and the pursuit of more Olympic honours in Paris 2024.
It’s perhaps no surprise, though, to learn that two such competitive animals are still planning to test themselves when their time at the top comes to an end, albeit in a very different way.
Both admit to a desire to come full circle and make a return solely to running, specifically off-road.
They have challenges in mind, too. The opportunity to test themselves in the 170km Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc [UTMB] and 251km Marathon Des Sables seems too good to turn down.
Running was how they started out in sport. Both raced for Bingley Harriers and predominately took part in cross country before transitioning to triathlon. Jonny also took part in the Mini London Marathon.
Jonny (L) and Alistair Brownlee (R) after Rio 2016
“I want to do [trail running] at some point and UTMB and Marathon Des Sables are definitely two [I’d like to compete in],” says 34-year-old Alistair. “The Ironman is the immediate focus for next year and then I can see, at some point in the next few years, slowing down the elite performance side and focusing on these challenges that I want to do.”
Jonny is of a like mind, the 32-year-old saying: “I will only go to Paris [2024] if I am a genuine medal contender in the individual and the relay. I’ll keep on working towards that.”
However, he adds: “I went to Chamonix [UTMB] and all the Adidas Terrex guys were there. It made me want to do it. I spent every morning running up the mountains and I really want to come back and do that kind of thing again in the future. I started in fell running so I want to do a lot of trails in the future.”
The brothers have altered the triathlon landscape in the UK. Alistair was the first Brit to become Olympic individual triathlon champion in 2012 while the younger Brownlee, who between July 2010 and May 2014 made 45…
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