Henley triathlete secures Nice third place finish

NATASHA Harris-White, a former Upper Thames and Leander rower, now turned triathlete, put in an outstanding performance at the Ironman World Championships in Nice, securing an impressive third place finish in the 25 to 29 age group.

Competing against some of the world’s best female endurance athletes, Harris-White, who went to Valley Road, Gillotts School and the Henley College and still lives in Henley, completed the challenging course with a total time of 10 hours, 30 minutes and 17 seconds.

The prestigious event, held along the French Riviera, featured a 2.4-mile sea swim, a 112-mile bike ride with nearly 2,400m of climbing, and a full 26.2-mile marathon. Her exceptional race was capped by a stunning marathon time of three hours 15 minutes — a time many runners aspire to achieve as a standalone marathon, let alone after completing an arduous swim and bike ride. Finishing 12 in the swim, she moved through the field into fourth place field on the bike, with her standout run taking her to bronze at the finish.

This latest achievement builds on Harris-White’s impressive track record as a triathlete.

Over the past few years, she has consistently excelled in national and international competitions, and is known for her strength across all three disciplines. Her ability to maintain such a high level of performance throughout the entire race sets her apart, and her third place finish solidifies her reputation as one of the top athletes globally in her age group. In her next race, she will be representing Great Britain at the World Triathlon Age Group Championships grand final in Andalusia, Spain on October 19.

Much of Harris-White’s success can be attributed to the coaching she receives from Sophie Whitworth, an accomplished world-class triathlete herself. Whitworth’s guidance has helped Harris-White refine her training, particularly in managing the intensity required to perform at such a high level in all three disciplines. Her preparation has also included regular swim training with Henley’s Swim to Live group at Gillotts pool. Swimming with this local group has been instrumental in improving her technique and endurance, helping her master the swim leg, which many triathletes find to be the most daunting part of the race.

Harris-White said: “I owe a lot to the Swim to Live group. It’s been a huge part of my training, and it’s great to train with such a supportive group. The fitness and endurance I’ve gained from those sessions have really made a difference.”

Reflecting on her podium finish, Harris-White was grateful for all the support she’s received along her journey. “I’m so happy with the result. Finishing third at the Ironman World Championships feels amazing, and it’s been a dream come true. I couldn’t have done it without support from my coaching team, family, friends, and the Swim to Live group back home in Henley.”