From Second to Seriously Rich: Matthews Makes History in Pro Series
Five podiums, three silvers, two wins, and one massive payday - Matthews just showed the tri world that consistency beats perfection in the inaugural Pro Series chase.
Want to know how to turn second place into a $363,000 payday? Just ask Kat Matthews, who's just written herself into the history books as the first-ever Ironman Pro Series champion.
The Path to Payday
Let's rewind to how we got here. Matthews went into Ironman 70.3 World Championship needing to finish within 34 minutes of the leader to overtake Jackie Hering's series lead. She did slightly better than that - try 1:15 behind Taylor Nib. Not bad for a day's work.
That blistering 75-minute run chase we witnessed? Turns out it wasn't just about world championship glory - it was about securing a proper payday. Talk about motivation to keep the legs turning over.
The Season That Was
Want consistency? Here's Matthews' 2024 highlight reel:
- Victory at Ironman Texas (North American Champs)
- Win at Ironman Vitoria (casual 2:54 marathon, no biggie)
- Second at Nice Ironman Worlds
- Runner-up at 70.3 European Champs in Tallinn
- Second at Ironman 70.3 Worlds in Taupo
The Numbers Game
Final Pro Series Podium
- Cat Matthews (GBR) - 20,761 points ($200K bonus)
- Jackie Hering (USA) - 18,093 points ($130K bonus)
- Lotte Wilms (NLD) - 17,678 points ($85K bonus)
Remember when we questioned if racing every weekend might hurt Matthews' chances? Yeah, about that... Turns out the "race yourself fit" philosophy works pretty well when you're pocketing podium prizes at every stop.
The Bigger Picture
"I'm really proud to finish the year with the goal that we set out at the start," Matthews said post-race, probably while trying to figure out if her bank account has a maximum deposit limit.
But here's the really interesting bit - this wasn't just about the cash. The Pro Series changed how athletes approached their season, creating what Matthews called "a real logistical challenge, as well as a physical one." Just ask the likes of Ash Gentle and Taylor Nib, who had to balance Olympic ambitions with long-course dreams.
Setting the Standard
With 20,761 points, Matthews hasn't just won the inaugural series - she's set a benchmark that's going to have future contenders reaching for their calculators. That's what happens when you podium at basically every major race you enter.
The Real Winners
While Matthews is obviously the headline act, the Pro Series spread the love around:
- Top 10 shared $1.3 million
- Places 11-50 each got $5K
- Total prize pool: $1.7 million (more than most of us spend on race entries... probably)
Looking Ahead
The question now isn't just whether anyone can catch Matthews next year - it's whether anyone can match this level of consistency. Though with a $200K bonus on the line, we're betting plenty will try.
One thing's for certain - Matthews' accountant is probably having a very good day. And somewhere in Britain, there's a bike shop owner wondering why Cat Matthews just pre-ordered every piece of equipment for 2025.
Post-Script
For those keeping score at home, Matthews' total 2024 earnings (including race prizes and bonus) hit $363,000. Not bad for someone who spent most of the year coming second - though try telling that to anyone who saw her hunting down Taylor Nib in Taupo.
