South Wales triathlete claims victory in IRONMAN 70.3 in Dubai NBH Triple Crown series

Elite triathlete Adam Bowden is celebrating after achieving his first IRONMAN 70.3 victory in style, leading the swim, strong on the bike and then dominating the run.

Adam, who lives in Llantrisant and trains at the National Triathlon Performance Centre of Wales in Cardiff, is no stranger to success, having been competing at national and international standard in athletics since he was very young. Adam specialised in the 3k steeplechase and was the British National Champion and Olympic trials winner in 2008. He was 9th in the 3k steeplechase in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Seeking a new challenge in 2008 he decided to move into triathlon. He was accepted as a member of the trigold programme, British Triathlon’s talent identification programme, funded by Barrie Wells, that aimed to fast track athletes into becoming world class triathletes.  Adam’s highest placing to date in the ITU World Championship Series is 4th, which took place in Leeds in 2017. Adam was ranked 9th in the overall ITU World Triathlon series rankings in 2016.

His other achievements include British Duathlon Champion in 2017 & 2018. British Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Champion in 2016 & 2018. London Triathlon Champion in 2012 & 2018.

In 2018, Adam decided to turn his attention from Sprint and Olympic distance racing to the longer distances. His first year at the 70.3 distance racing was very successful. He won his first event at Challenge Roma, came 2nd in the Ironman 70.3 European Championships, finished 7th in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in South Africa and became the British Ironman 70.3 record holder when he raced in Bahrain in December (beating Alistair Brownlees’ previous record).

The win at Dubai this weekend sees his 2019 season off to a flying start and Adam is expected to add more trophies to his cabinet in 2019.

Speaking after the win, Adam credited his victory to hard work, supportive family, great coaches and sponsors and the regular treatment he receives from local sports physiotherapy centre, one2one Therapy in Bridgend.  Adam said:

“This is an amazing win and a great start to 2019.”

“I have to thank my partner Rhian, my coaches Andy Lane and Luke Watson, my family and all my sponsors for their support. My success is down to the amazing team I have around me. As an Elite athlete, I need to make sure that my body is able to perform at the highest level day in, day out and one2one therapy are instrumental in helping me achieve this. Since working with them, I haven’t missed a race through injury and for that I am truly grateful.”  

“This is only the first event and I’m excited to see what I will achieve this year.”   

Race results provided by https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/elite/dubai-men-2019-bowden-wins – please see website for their full race report.

IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai – Friday 1st February 2019
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – Adam Bowden (GBR) – 3:40:11
2nd – Patrick Nilsson (SWE) – 3:42:50
3rd – Sébastien Fraysse (FRA) – 3:47:05
4th – Johann Ackermann (GER) – 3:47:32
5th – Felipe Azevedo (POR) – 3:48:47