WATCH: “It was hitting 38 degrees” - Jersey Ironwoman conquers heat and headwinds at World Championships

Sunday 16 October 2022

Heat, humidity and headwinds proved a punishing combination as Jersey’s Jo Gorrod took to the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii – but the local triathlete still scooped a stunning 10th place in her age group.

One week on, she reflected on the race - only her second ever full Ironman - with Express...

Jo, who is Managing Director at Oak Group, qualified for the global final for the punishing race back in December, having triumphed in Ironman Italy.

Watch: Jo Gorrod was cheered on as she crossed the line in the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

She joined a group of Jersey athletes in battling the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run, with a ranking of fifth fastest woman overall and first in her 50-54 age group.

As Jo set off for the Ironman World Championships in Kona earlier this month, it was with this success in mind that she took to the race – but there were many trials along the way.

"I went out with the aim of getting on the podium," Jo told Express.

Pictured: Jo qualified for the Ironman World Championships after a stunning performance in Italy.

"Whilst you think you can prepare yourself for the conditions until you are in the thick of the race you can't really appreciate the toll that the heat, humidity and headwinds take out of you," she continued.

"I think mentally I swapped from competitive mode to survival mode during the race and then back into race mode as I picked people off on the run."

Jo started off with a "really strong swim".

"It was beautiful, swimming in the sea with no wetsuit at 27 degrees and I really loved it," the athlete reflected.

Pictured: Jo described the swim as "beautiful".

However, once she got on the saddle, the challenges began.

"We had a headwind for most of the 80 miles out to Hawi and the heat was starting to get to me," Jo said.

"I struggled to find my rhythm and usual position on the bike but knew I had to just keep some focus."

Keeping the right mentality was key, but keeping the negative thoughts at bay wasn't easy.

"As the bike hadn't gone to plan I was worried that it would all fall apart on the run," she recalled.

"Whilst there were dark moments out there, I kept ticking off the miles and actually felt some stronger towards the back end of the run."

Mental hurdles aside, the heat was among the most brutal physical aspects.

"I think it was hitting 38 degrees at points on the run with full sun beating down on you. I had prepared for the heat on the turbo in the greenhouse but it just wasn't enough."

Pictured: A Jersey flag was displayed along the racecourse.

Jo completed the race in 11 hours, 8 minutes and 41 seconds, securing her 10th place out of 164 in the 50-54 age group for women.

While it wasn't the podium finish she had hoped for, Jo said that, "on reflection, I am pleased with the result."

The Jersey Tri Club were full of praise for the athlete's "superb" and "impressive" performance on a "brutal course".

Mike Osborne Sid it was a "tremendous" result "to be proud of, for sure", while Victoria Pendlebury Cavill described Jo as "an inspiration to us all". Melissa Messervy commented: "Bloody amazing Jo - top 10 at the World Champs, second ever IM, bravo!"

Pictured: Many local triathletes were in awe of Jo Gorrod's placement in the World Championships - particularly given it was only her second ever full-length Ironman.

While many would be put off by the punishing nature of an Ironman race, much of the appeal for participants lies beyond the competitive elements.

"The event itself is amazing, the atmosphere is brilliant, thousands of competitors and supporters from all over the world converging on a little island in the Pacific for an extreme event," Jo said of her drive to compete.

With that in mind, will she be looking to go again?

"That is my second full Ironman and I'll be happy to return to racing the 70.3 distance next year - half distance is more than enough!"