Challenge Henley: A farewell to Champion Ironwoman Bella Bayliss

Bella Bayliss is a name that most likely sounds familiar, yet one that few actually know very much about. Bella’s career is highlighted by fifteen Iron Distance titles, ITU World Long Distance Champion (2006), 2 x Ironman 70.3 Champion and a “member of the sub 9 hour Ironman club”. Although quite frankly, the reason you may not have heard a lot about this athlete is quite simply explained by the fact that she “doesn’t blow her own trumpet”. Bella is a member of teamTBB alongside husband Stephen Bayliss, and first approached coach Brett Sutton over ten years ago with the almost desperate plea “I know I can be special, I just know it”. Sutton looked beyond the “very different young woman” standing before him to the warrior within, and agreed. The two formed a partnership that would span over ten years.

Sutton describes the Scottish born athlete “Bella has this unique ability to never mince words, never talks behind your back, and if a spoon can do the job, then she will bring  a spade to make sure the job gets done properly”. He took a girl who in her own words describes “I cant swim, I don’t bike that good either, I’m not a natural runner, but I can hurt more than most”. He coached her, but he never had to push her. Bella Bayliss knew how to hurt, she knew how to work hard, and this “very different young woman” along with the help of her coach developed into something very special.

Bella, now mum to son Charlie, has decided the time has come to hang up her racing shoes and look to the next chapter of her life. Now coaching for teamTBB, Bella is taking on the role she once sought out in others, passing down her knowledge, skills and experience in a sport that demands nothing less than 100% dedication both physically and mentally. Challenge Henley will be Bella’s final appearance as a professional athlete, having announced “I believe I have been the best I can be, I’m proud of what I have achieved, I look back and I cant really believe it still.”

In coach Sutton’s words “Bella, you need to believe it.” Congratulations on a stellar career Bella, we look forward to watching your final race, and seeing your own athletes develop under your guidance in years to come.

Top athletes to race Challenge Henley This Weekend

Challenge Henley returns for it’s third year this Sunday 8th September, for an exciting day of long distance racing. Located on the north side of the scenic River Thames in the beautiful town of Henley-On-Thames, competitors from as far afield as Korea, India, South Africa and New Zealand will be lining up to race over either half or full iron distance, and the event is due to attract over 1400 athletes, racing as by themselves or making up part of a team relay.

The race starts and finishes in the historic Henley-On-Thames, with the swim following the world famous Royal Regatta Rowing course. Athletes swim towards Henley town centre before returning back to the Henley Business School where they set out on the bike course. The course is new for 2013 and comprises of one sharp addition, in the form of Howe Hill – a cheeky 100 metre, 13% climb.

Competitors will have ample opportunities to test both their climbing and descending skills, as they weave and pass through typical English villages. The four-lap run course will take athletes over Henley Bridge, around the lanes in Remenham, past Hambledon Lock and Temple Island as they return on the Thames path alongside the river, back over Henley Bridge.

And spectators will be in for a treat too, as many renowned pro athletes are set to make an appearance. The men’s event will be headed up for a third year by last year’s winner Stephen Bayliss, who will be joined by fellow pros Joel Jameson, Tuuka Mettinen and Tom Lowe.

The women’s event is also made up of some strong names in triathlon, including Bella Bayliss, Yvette Grice and Julia Grant. Bayliss has only recently announced her retirement from triathlon and has chosen Challenge Henley as her final professional race, which means it is especially special day for her, and her husband Stephen.

And it is not just the elites that will be making an appearance on the start list, many high profile names have decided to come along and give it a go.

Olympic pole-vaulter Nick Buckfield will be embarking upon the full event, his very first time competing at this distance. The two-time Olympian retired in 2008 from the sport due to injury,and has always wanted to test himself over the (in his words) ‘ultimate endurance distance’

He said, “I have to be honest, I never imagined how hard the training would be; purely in the sense of volume. The long runs and bike sessions at the weekends involve 5-6 hours of riding solo. This is mentally challenging in every sense, as too is fuelling effectively – I have got this wrong many a time across my training! That being said, I feeling ready to go, and can’t wait to get started on Sunday morning’ And Nick is not the only Olympic athlete joining the line up, former Olympic butterfly swimmer Steve Parry will be racing the half distance event, and will no doubt be giving other competitors a run for their money in the water.

Alan Rose, Challenge Henley Race Director said,

We are looking forward to welcoming athletes to Henley for a third year, athletes that will be joining us from all around the world. Having been awarded the ‘Fastest Ironman Course’ by Beyond Going Long in 2012, and with the amendments to our bike course we are looking forward to seeing some especially quick times this year. We are excited to have such a strong pro field in place, and to welcome in some past Olympians to the start list is a true privilege. Good luck to everyone competing, see you at the start!