All Eyes On: Jake Birtwhistle

Jake Birtwhistle is an Australian Olympic triathlete who's enjoyed WTCS podiums including wins in Hamburg and Leeds in 2019. He also picked up a Silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. We caught up with Jake ahead of his hotly anticipated long-course debut at this weekend's Ironman 70.3 Tasmania, his home course. 

It's your debut 70.3 this weekend at home in Tasmania, where’s your head at leading into this event?   

I’m just excited to see what happens. When I first decided to race 70.3 Tas I had planned to be here super fit, and totally ready to smash this longer distance. However the reality of it is a little different. I feel like I’ve only just started back training after the late end of the ‘22 season but things are feeling better each week now. At this point I’m just embracing the new challenge, and looking forward to seeing how it pans out. I see myself focusing on the 70.3 distance after the Olympics so it’ll be a taste of what’s to come. 

You’re still all in for the Paris Olympics, but have you changed your training at all for this race?

The training plan has stayed the same as any other year with just some added time spent getting comfortable on the TT bike. I’m currently in the strength-building phase of my training so really trying to build up that aerobic base- which is why I’m able to fit this race in. Long hours of steady work which I hope is enough to get me through this weekend.

Given it's a new distance for you, do you have a specific process goal for the event?

It’s all about exploring for me. In the last week I’ve been given some recommendations for nutrition, and through the training I’ve been trying to come up with some numbers/ paces I’d like to hold. I mostly train by feel so I might be way off, but I hope I’ll be able to use others in the race to help me judge that. It’s kind of nice going in with no expectations though, I just want to go out and enjoy it and see what happens. 

What's special about racing at home? And why do people NEED to come train and race in Tasmania? 

There is a reason I will always come back to Tassie every chance I get. Of course it’s my home, but it also really is the best place to train in Australia. I love to race in Tassie whenever I can and that was the major factor for me to commit to this race. I hope to see the race continue and become a staple Ironman 70.3 event so I can start my season off in God’s country every year! 

Good luck to Jake in Tasmania this weekend! If you want to follow his journey check him out on Instagram, @jakebirtwhistle.