A career in triathlon often begins and ends with a single Ironman race. For Emily Bell, a 24-year-old athlete and new mother, the decision to step away from the sport was not made easily. It was driven by rising expenses and the sheer amount of time required to commit to the sport at its highest level. After completing five Ironman events, Bell concluded that the sport no longer aligned with her lifestyle or priorities.
Bell’s triathlon journey started in Austria, where she raced despite being sidelined by a stress fracture in her back. She then moved on to Vichy, where she placed third in the 18-24 age group, before eventually making her way to Kona in 2019. However, after leaving university and starting to live in London, the logistics of weekend travel and maintaining a training schedule proved difficult to manage. Half Ironman events, while less physically demanding, didn’t provide the same sense of purpose. Kona had been her driving force, but without that same pull, she decided to step back.
The expense of Kona
Qualifying for Kona, a dream for many triathletes, comes with a heavy price tag. Travel, hotels, and equipment all contribute to what Bell calls 'astronomical' costs. She admitted that the experience is unmatched, especially with its iconic red carpet and massive crowds. However, the financial and time demands can become too much for many athletes. Bell also noted that even races outside of the Ironman brand can be costly and hard to fit into daily life, especially for someone balancing family and work.
Bell explained that the financial structure of triathlon is difficult for young or part-time athletes to manage. When she first started, the sport felt like a niche activity for middle-aged men, but now she sees a growing number of 20-somethings participating. She also observed a shift toward alternative formats like Hyrox and ultra running, which provide different kinds of challenges and a stronger sense of community.
Exploring other challenges
After leaving Ironman behind, Bell tried her hand at ultra running and multi-day races. She also got involved in Hyrox, a hybrid event that she completed with her husband. In these new formats, she found the kind of training she had been missing—more social, more fun, and less all-encompassing.
Bell pointed out that Ironman training is isolating. Few people are willing to commit to a six-hour bike ride. But with shorter, more accessible races, training can be done in pairs, creating a more dynamic and enjoyable experience. That was what she was looking for after Kona.
Currently, Bell is focusing on strength training in the gym, with goals like performing a heavy back squat or completing 10 pull-ups. She described this as a true 'time for something new,' a shift in focus that feels right for her current stage of life.
The rising cost of everything
Bell frequently emphasized the phrase: 'Everything has gotten more expensive.' According to her, it's not just the cost of triathlon that has increased, but the cost of life in general. The money and time required to stay active in the sport, either full-time or part-time, can be unsustainable for many athletes. For her, Kona was an ultimate goal—a destination, not something to return to again and again.
She reflected on the irony. She had once declared that getting to Kona was worth any cost. But once there, she realized that staying in the sport at that level was far more challenging than she had expected.
